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ESSAY 


ON 

CHEISTIAN  UNION. 


y 

CHARLES  ADAMS. 

KJitJl  ira  SAtnkrftmi, 

BY  REV.  THOMAS  DE  WITT,  D.D. 


NEW  YORK: 

SAMUEL  HUESTON,  139  NASSAU  STREET. 
1850. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1850,  by 
SAMUEL  HUESTON, 

in  the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District 
of  New  York. 


SANER  AND  PALMER,  STEBEOTTPER3, 

201  William  street,  N.  Y. 


TO 


ROBERT  BAIRD,  D.D.,  ^ 

A NAME  DEAB  TO  CHRISTIANS  OE  BOTH  HEMISPHERES, 

issuii 

IS  GRATEFULLY  INSCRIBED. 


' ’ Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


https://archive.org/details/essayonchristianOOadam 


CONTENTS 


FAGB. 

INTRODUCTION  . . . . 1 

PREFACE 9 

SECTION  I. 

Essential  Union  of  the  Church  Catholic 17 

SECTION  11. 

Visible  Union,  the  Original  Design....... 31 

SECTION  III. 

Duty  of  Catholic  Love 51 

SECTION  IV. 

State  of  the  Case 60 

SECTION  V. 

Duty  of  Visible  Union 67  » 

SECTION  VI. 

Denominations 84 


V 


CONTENTS, 


PAOB. 

SECTION  VII. 

Means  of  Visible. Union. 93 

“•  SECTION  VIII. 

Means  of  Actual  Union 100 

SECTION  IX. 

Encouragements 113 

SECTION  X. 

Address  to  Episcopalians 130 

SECTION  XI. 

Address  to  Baptists 142 

SECTION  XII. 

Address  to  Congregationaliste  and  Presbyterians..  147 

SECTION  XIII. 

Address  to  Methodists 152 

SECTION  XIV. 

Address  to  the  Church  Catholic 158 


Christian  Union,”  the  theme  of  this  little 
volume,  is  admitted  by  Christians,  of  various  de- 
nominations, to  be  one  of  great  importance,  and 
transcendent  interest.  Yet  how  lamentable  and 
plain  are  the  proofs  abounding,  and  continued,  that 
it  fails  to  impress  their  hearts,  and  stimulate  their 
efforts  for  its  promotion,  in  the  visible  manifesta- 
tion and  exercise  of  it.  Each  denomination  dwells 
upon  the  minute  shades  of  its  particular  opinions, 
by  which  it  is  separated  from  others,  and  seems  to 
forget  the  bond  that  unites  them  to  Christ  and  each 
other,  in  the  faith  of  the  vital  truths  of  the  Gospel, 
and  the  common  hope  and  service  of  the  Saviour. 
Hence  they  are  led  to  seek  their  own,  and  not  su- 
premely the  things  of  Christ ; and  in  the  love  and 
pursuit  of  denominational  interest  and  prosperity, 
the  efforts  of  other  denominations  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  Redeemer’s  kingdom,  instead  of  being 
cordially  greeted,  are  often  viewed  with  envious 


11 


INTRODUCTION. 


/ 

regard,  a spirit  of  controversy  becomes  awakened 
and  indulged,  and  counteracting  efforts  are  em- 
ployed. Alienation,  bitterness,  opposition,  follovr 
each  other  in  the  train.  “Judah”  continues  “to 
vex  Ephraim,  and  Ephraim  to  vex  Judah.”  What 
hindrances  have  thus  been  caused  to  the  spread  of  the 
Gospel ! How  has  the  purity  and  strength  of  the 
ONE  church  of  God  been  impaired,  and  the  world 
gained  an  advantage  for  reproach  and  neglect  of 
the  truth  of  God  ! 

The  singular  and  interesting  developments  of 
Divine  Providence,  in  the  state  of  the  world,  at  the 
present  time,  open  wide  avenues,  and  furnish  in- 
creasing facilities  for  diffusing  the  Gospel,  and  urge 
upon  the  Christian  church  to  go  forth,  “ fair  as  the 
moon,  clear  as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an  army 
with  banners,”  in  order  to  possess  the  much  land 
that  is  to  be  possessed.  At  this  time  it  is  a matter 
of  congratulation  that  the  subject  of  Christian 
Union,  in  its  appropriate  manifestation  and  exercise, 
not  based  on  uniformity,  but  on  common  evangeli- 
cal truth  cemented  under  the  controlling  spirit  of 
Christian  love,  should  have  been  brought  forward 
prominently.  The  promotion  of  such  an  union, 
cherished  and  manifested,  will  be  hailed  as  one  of 
the  most  auspicious  tokens.  Its  progress  will  fore- 
bode the  healing  of  the  breaches  of  Zion,  and  the 


INTRODUCTION. 


Ill 


calling  forth  of  the  energies  of  the  Christian  church 
in  an  harmonious  movement  for  the  salvation  of  the 
world.  Then  would  be  realized  more  and  more, 
until  the  fulfillment  shall  unfold  in  all  its  beauty, 
our  Lord’s  prayer,  in  behalf  of  his  disciples,  John 
xvii. : “ Neither  pray  I for  these  alone,  but  for 
them  also  which  shall  believe  on  me  through  thy 
word;  that  they  all  may  be  one,  as  thou  Father 
art  in  me,  and  I in\hee,  that  they  also  may  be  one 
in  us ; that  the  world  may  believe  that  thou  hast 
sent  me.”  Under  this  influence,  while  many  of  the 
multiplied  denominational  walls  would,  one  after 
g,nother,  fall  away,  yet  among  the  denominational 
enclosures  which  doubtless  will  remain,  there  would 
prevail  a spirit  of  mutual  love  and  confidence  in  the 
common  faith,  seeking  intercourse  and  fellowship, 
and  co-operating  in  advancing  the  cause  of  the  Re- 
deemer. They  would  no  longer  turn  their  weapons 
against  each  other,  and  spend  their  strength  in  in- 
testine contests ; but  they  would  be  found  as  one 
army,  though  divided  into  distinct  encampments, 
with  special  banners,  yet  all  arranged  in  harmonious 
order,  under  the  one  banner  of  the  Captain  of  their 
salvation,  and  making  a common  onset  on  the  foes 
of  truth  and  righteousness,  and  blending  their  en- 
ergies in  spreading  the  reign  of  holiness  and  peace 
on  earth.  There  are  those  who  are  sincerely  de- 


IV 


INTRODUCTION. 


sirous  of  an  increase  of  harmony  and  co-operation 
in  the  different  branches  of  the  church  of  Christ, 
who  yet  do  not  see  the  expediency  or  the  proba- 
bihty  of  success  of  the  means  proposed  for  pro- 
moting union,  on  account  of  the  varying  settled 
views  on  many  points  that  are  entertained,  and  the 
different  organizations  and  separate  fields  in  which 
Christians  are  placed.  But  is  not  this  allowing  -the 
perpetuation  of  the  evil  by  letting  it  alone  as  hope- 
less, and  do  not  these  very  considerations  urge  the 
importance  and  necessity  of  employing  the  best  de- 
vised and  most  wisely  directed  means,  for  drawing 
more  and  more  closely  and  visibly  the  bonds  of 
Christian  fellowship,  among  those  who  are  one  in 
Christ,  in  whatever  department  of  the  church  they 
may  be  found  ? The  difficulty  alluded  to  arises  often 
from  a mistake  entertained  as  to  the  object  of  the 
measures  suggested  for  promoting  the  visible  unity 
of  Christians.  That  object  is  not  uniformity  of 
views  so  as  to  lead  to  amalgamation.  Sectarianism 
seeks  union  by  bringing  others  to  its  own  faith,  and 
in  all  things  exclaims,  The  temple  of  the  Lord  are 
these.”  True  Christian  faith  and  charity  combined 
leave  to  others  their  conscientious  convictions  on 
all  points  not  vitally  connected  with  saving  truth, 
carefully  regards  their  rights,  feelings,  and  interests 
in  their  distinct  organizations  and  fields  of  labor ; 


INTRODUCTION. 


V 


and  then  meets  and  embraces  them  on  the  common 
ground  of  evangelical  truth,  in  the  spirit  of  love,  to 
co-operate  for  the  Redeemer’s  glory  and  the  world’s 
salvation.  Unity,  with  variety,  characterizes  all 
the  works  of  God.  Why  should  it  not  be  so  in  the 
sections  of  the  Christian  church  ? It  is  thus  only 
that  the  power  of  Christian  love  displays  most 
strikingly  its  glory,  making  the  main  features  of  the 
Christian  church  a sufficient  ground  for  its  attrac- 
tion, and  triumphing  over  all  diversities  compatible 
with  these.  The  fraternal  sympathies  of  any  one 
body  of  Christians,  all  holding  the  same  opinions, 
has  no  effect  in  convincing  the  world  of  the  strength 
of  this  divine  principle,  like  that  of  the  exhibition 
of  them  on  a larger  scale,  comprehending  the  diver- 
sity of  sects.  It  may  be  added  that  such  a triumph 
of  love  would  do  more  to  assimilate  our  judgments 
in  smaller  matters  than  the  most  luminous  contro- 
versial writings  and  discussions  will  accomplish, 
though  freed  from  bitterness  and  asperity.  The 
prevalence  of  this  principle  would  incalculably  ad- 
vance the  internal  purity,  peace,  and  strength  of 
the  church,  and  increase  her  influence  to  bless  the 
world  at  large. 

Prominence  has  recently  been  given  to  this  ob- 
ject by  the  measures  whic^i  were  taken  for,  and 
■which  resulted  in,  the  formation  of  the  Evangelical 


VI 


INTRODUCTION. 


Alliance,  in  1846,  at  London.  The  incipient  steps 
originated  in  Scotland.  A wealthy  merchant  of 
Glasgow,  and  an  elder  of  the  Secession  church, 
feeling  a deep  interest  in  the  subject,  procured  a 
series  of  ably  written  essays,  from  the  most  distin- 
guished ministers  of  the  different  denominations  in 
Scotland,  as  Drs.  Chalmers,  Balmer,  Wardlaw, 
Candlish,  and  others,  on  different  topics,  connected 
with  the  subject  of  Christian  Union.  These  he 
published  in  a volume,  and  generously  distributed. 
Circular  letters,  signed  by  a number  of  ministers  in 
Scotland,  were  addressed  to  the  evangelical  churches 
of  Great  Britain,  inviting  them  to  a meeting  at  Liv- 
erpool, in  the  fall  of  1845,  to  deliberate  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Christian  Union.  That  meeting  was  well 
attended,  and  proved  a refreshing  and  edifying  one. 
It  was  resolved  to  call  a meeting  of  evangelical 
Christians  of  evangelical  churches  in  all  parts  of 
the  world,  in  London,  in  the  course  of  the  next 
summer,  with  the  view  to  form  a regular  organiza- 
tion of  an  “Evangelical  Alliance.”  It  was  my 
privilege  to  attend  this  meeting,  in  August,  1846; 
and  the  remembrance  of  it  will  always  be  deep  and 
fragrant  in  my  soul.  One  thousand  Christians,  or 
more,  from  different  churches  and  various  countries, 
were  met  in  holy  fellowship,  to  deliberate  on  this 
blessed  theme.  The  great  majority  of  these  were 


INTRODUCTION. 


Vll 


from  Great  Britain  ; but  there  were  a considerable 
number  from  the  churches  of  continental  Europe, 
and  from  sixty  to  seventy  from  the  United  States 
of  America.  Episcopalians,  Methodists,  Presbyte- 
rians, Congregationalists,  Lutherans,  German  and 
Dutch  Reformed,  French  Reformed,  etc.,  sat  side 
by  side,  and  united  in  prayer  and  discussion.  Two 
hours  every  day  were  appropriated  to  prayer  and 
praise,  and  the  spirit  breathed  therein  was  eminently 
quickening  to  Christian  love.  Amid  the  topics 
wdiich  arose,  and  which  occasionally  excited  appre- 
hensions as  to  embarrassments  which  might  arise, 
calmness  and  quietness,  under  the  control  of  Chris- 
tian love,  prevailed,  and  led  to  the  happy  results 
which  were  reached.  It  was  pleasant  to  be  in  such 
an  assembly,  many  of  whose  members  had  long  been 
known  abroad  by  their  writings,  and  religious  char- 
acter and  influence.  The  result  of  their  delibera- 
tions is  before  the  public,  in  the  development  of  the 
basis  on  which  the  Evangelical  Alliance  is  founded, 
and  the  principles  by  which  it  is  characterized  and 
governed.  They  commend  themselves  to  the  inves- 
tigation of  American  Christians.  For  the  promotion 
of  the  object  it  contemplates,  should  not  more  be 
done  among  us  ? The  volume  to  which  these  re- 
marks are  introductory  is  a contribution  in  its  be- 
half, which  it  is  trusted  will  bear  fruit,  in  advancing 


Vlll 


INTRODUCTION. 


its  claims  upon  Christians  of  different  denominations. 
Every  page  bears  proof  of  the  strength  of  conviction, 
and  warmth  of  feeling,  with  which  the  author  has 
entered  on  and  prosecuted  the  discussion  of  his 
theme ; and  the  whole  bears,  with  strong  force,  upon 
the  mind  and  heart  of  the  Christian  reader.  Its 
wide  circulation  cannot  but  do  good. 

In  the  words  of  Robert  Hall,  it  may  he  said,  ‘‘  If 
Christians  would  generally  act  on  these  principles, 
we  should  hail  the  dawn  of  a brighter  day,  and 
consider  it  as  a nearer  approach  to  the  ultimate 
triumph  of  the  church  than  the  annals  of  time  have 
yet  recorded.  In  the  accomplishment  of  our  Sa- 
viour’s prayer,  we  should  behold  a demonstration 
of  the  divinity  of  his  mission,  which  the  most  im- 
pious could  not  resist.  We  should  behold  in  the 
church  a peaceful  haven,  inviting  us  to  retire  from 
the  tossings  and  perils  of  this  unquiet  ocean,  to  a 
sacred  enclosure,  a sequestered  spot,  which  the 
storms  and  tempests  of  the  world  were  not  per- 
mitted to  reach.” 

THOMAS  DE  WITT. 


New  York,  January  25,  1850 


PREFACE. 


A BRIEF  sketch  of  the  history  of  this  book,  by 
way  of  introducing  it,  may  not  be  improper  in  itself, 
or  unacceptable  to  the  reader.  A little  more  than 
one  year  since,  my  mind  began  to  labor  intensely  in 
view  of  the  divided  aspect  of  protestant  Christen- 
dom, and  the  exclusive  attitude  which,  though  with 
numerous  exceptions  of  excellent  individuals,  the 
several  evangelical  denominations  of  Christians 
manifested  toward  each  other.  The  idea  occurred 
to  me,  and  more  vividly  than  ever  before,  that  in 
the  matter  of  exclusiveness  and  non-intercourse  of 
these  denominations,  there  appeared  to  be,  after  all, 
not  so  much  in  favor  of  one  above  the  others  as  I 
had  been  accustomed  to  suppose.  I saw,  or  thought 
I saw,  in  this  respect,  a grievous  and  mischievous 
error  in  the  whole  of  them ; and  so  intensely  did  my 
mind  dwell  upon  this  general  subject  of  church  di- 
visions, and  so  clearly  did  it  occur  to  me  that  this 
whole  fact  and  process  were  aside  from  the  true 
1^ 


X 


PREFACE. 


spirit  of  the  gospel,  and  the  fashion  of  the  apos- 
tolic church,  that  I was  led  seriously  and  consci- 
entiously to  question  the  propriety  and  righteous- 
ness of  my  own  position,  as  a member  of  one  of 
these  same  divisions.  Turning  my  eye  inward,  and 
inquiring  whether,  in  perfect  sincerity  and  truth,  I 
loved  all  other  Christians  as  I loved  those  of  the 
denomination  to  which  I belonged,  I detected,  as 
if  it  had  been  a new  discovery,  what  I could  not 
but  confess  to  be  a superior  love  for  those  of  my 
own  name — and  that,  too,  irrespective  of  acquaint- 
ance on  my  part,  or  of  piety  on  theirs.  Here, 
of  course,  I stood  arrested,  alarmed,  and  convicted 
of  sin.  I shuddered  as  I saw  a serpent  still  nest- 
ling in  my  heart,  of  whose  existence  I had  but  dimly 
dreamed.  With  inexpressible  pain  I perceived  my- 
self to  be  occupying,  and  to  have  been  long  occu- 
pying, a false  position — that  I was  not  precisely 
where  Christ  is — that  as  I looked  forth  upon  the 
great  church  catholic,  my  view  was  unlike  that  of 
Christ,  and  that  of  Paul,  the  true  view,  but  meas- 
urably one-sided,  confused,  disjointed,  partial.  I 
knew  my  sin,  and  confessed  it  before  God,  and 
begged  of  Him  the  true  and  perfect  love  to  be  shed 
abroad  in  my  heart — and  that  I might  contemplate 
and  love  all  the  disciples  as  He  would  have  me. 


PREFACE. 


XI 


From  this  time,  the  love  of  sect,  and  the  spirit 
of  sectarianism,  rapidly  declined  with  me;  and 
some  of  the  more  prominent  peculiarities  of  sect — 
of  my  own,  as  well  3s  others — grew  less  weighty 
and  important  in  my  esteem.  I found  myself  in- 
clining, in  an  unusual  degree,  toward  the  scriptures, 
and  away  from  human  authority,  and  human  sys- 
tems. I was  becoming  conscious  of  less  veneration 
and  love  for  what  I could  not  find  satisfactorily  es- 
tablished in  the  Word  of  Truth  ; and  truth  I was 
determined  to  seek,  wherever  it  might  lead  me. 

Under  these  circumstances,  it  will  not  appear 
strange  to  one  who  will  take  the  trouble  to  attend 
closely  to  this  sketch  of  a portion  of  my  mental 
history,  that,  though  in  some  sense,  “ broken  up” 
and  confused,  I was  still  not  without  great  consola- 
tion. The  Lord,  as  I believe,  was  drawing  me  away 
from  man  nearer  to  himself.  I was  emerging,  if  I 
do  not  mistake,  into  a higher  spiritual  life — where  I 
was  to  breathe  more  freely,  and  be  entertained  and 
delighted  with  clearer  views,  and  my  heart  expand- 
ed with  a higher  and  more  catholic  love.  Hence, 
though  cast  down,  I was  not  destroyed — sorrowing, 
I rejoiced  also.  H knew  that  my  heart  was  fixed — 
though  clouds  and  darkness  seemed  gathered  over 
me,  and  the  spirit  of  the  storm  was  breathing 


XU 


PREFACE. 


mournfully  across  ’my  path.  During  those  sombre 
days,  I could  not  tell  what  would  become  of  me, 
nor  whither  my  weary  steps  would  be  led ; and 
never,  I think,  did  mortal  man  inquire  with  more 
simplicity  after  the  true  position,  aq4  true  ac- 
tion. < 

At  length  the  meditations  of  my  mind  assumed 
a shape  something  like  the  following : I said — is 
not  Christ,  after  all,  among  these  divided  churches  ? 
Do  they  not  include  multitudes  of  disciples  as  dear 
to  Heaven  as  any  existing  upon  earth  ? Have  not  a 
great  multitude,  in  all  probability,  gone  from  their 
ranks  • up  to  the  church  triumphant  ? Even  as 
matters  are,  is  it  not  true  of  these  several  compa- 
nies of  evangelical  Christians,  that  they  are  a- great 
and  indispensable  blessing  to  the  world  ? Are  they 
not,  though  bearing  different  names,  yet  accom- 
plishing much — very  much,  for  the  eternal  welfare 
of  man  ? Are  they  not  as  obviously  God’s  people 
as  any  people  upon  earth  ? If  we  may  not  find 
Christ’s  church  among  what  are  termed  the  prot- 
estant  and  evangelical  denominations  of  Christen- 
dom, then  where  shall  we  go  to  find  that  church 
this  side  of  heaven  ? If  the  all-important  test  given 
by  Christ,  namely,  that  “ by  their  fruits  ye  shall 
know  them,”  be  of  any  worth,  then  is  it  not  as  pal- 


PREFACE. 


xm 


pable  as  ‘‘the  clear  shining  after  rain,”  that  if  God 
has  not  a people  among  the  Establishment  and  Dis- 
sent of  England,  and  the  great  denominations  of 
these  United  States,  then  He  has,  alas  ! no  people 
upon  earth  ? 

Thus  far,  then,  I felt  that  the  ground  was  sure  ; 
and  I longed  that  these  thousands  of  Gospel  minis- 
ters, and  these  hundreds  of  thousands  of  church 
members,  should  come  to  love  as  brethren  in  Christ. 
I became  gradually  less  agitated  about  the  propriety 
of  remaining  connected  with  one  of  these  divisions 
of  the  church  catholic — provided  I did,  in  good 
faith,  feel  my  relation  to  the  above  church  to  be  as 
full  and  as  intimate  as  one  of  the  apostles  may  be 
supposed  to  have  felt  his  own  to  be — and  provided  I 
loved  all  Christ’s  followers  as  perfectly  as  if  there 
were  but  one  denomination — and  provided  I should 
esteem  my  relation  to  the  whole  catholic  church  as 
incomparably  more  precious  to  me  than  my  relation 
to  any  sector  denomination  under  heaven. 

It  was  in  this  state  of  mind  that  I more  recently 
directed  my  attention  to  the  late  catholic  assembly 
in  London,  and  which  resulted  in  the  formation  of 
the  “ Evangelical  Alliance.”  On  reviewing  the  his- 
tory of  that  meeting,  and  the  transactions  and 
speeches  which  occurred  there,  I was  again  filled 


XIV 


PREFACE. 


•witli  amazement,  and  such  as  would  be  natural  after 
the  peculiar  exercises  of  mind  to  which  allusion  has 
been  made  above.  My  amazement  was  two-fold — 
first,  that  though,  as  I thought,  interested  in  that 
movement  at  the  time,  I was,  however,  so  slightly 
interested,  and  remained  so  during  two  full  years  ; 
and  secondly,  that  such  multitudes,  both  in  the  min- 
istry and  laity,  appear  to  me  to  have  been,  and  to 
remain,  in  very  much  the  same  sort  and  degree  of 
slumber  as  myself.  I contemplated,  with  new  and 
increased  admiration,  those  noble  men,  as  well  of 
other  denominations  as  of  my  own,  who  went  from 
this  country  to  take  part  in  that  convocation,  and 
acquitted  themselves  so  much  like  Christians  there  ; 
and  as  I have  thought  of  these  men,  I have  won- 
dered what  must  have  been,  and  what  must  continue 
to  be,  their  emotions,  on  finding  so  little  apparent 
sympathy  from  the  multitudes  of  Christians  in  this 
land.  And  I have  wished  it  might  be  my  privilege 
to  lie  at  their  feet,  and  beg  their  forgiveness  for  my 
own  obtuseness  in  respect  to  the  effort  in  which  they 
were  so  piously  and  intelligently  interested.  In  re- 
gard to  the  effort  of  1846,  and  the  subsequent  ef- 
forts, to  lead  on  a new  spiritual  and  Christian  state 
of  feeling  and  action  among  the  different  divisions 
of  Christians,  I appear  to  myself  to  have  been  like 


PREFACE. 


XV 


the  heath  in  the  deseit,  not  knowing  when  good 
cometh.  I trust  to  have  partially  aAvoke  at  length, 
and  my  feeble  utterances  are  recorded  in  this  book. 
Whether  the  humble  effort  here  submitted,  or  any 
other  effort  I may  still  be  led  to  make,  shall  seem 
at  all  to  atone  for  my  previous  deficiency,  I cannot 
determine.  In  writing  thus,  I pray  to  be  under- 
stood as  not  assuming  to  possess  any  special  influ- 
ence. All  gospel  ministers  do  exert  a certain 
amount  of  influence,  and  it  is  simply  as  one  of  these, 
though  feeling  myself  to  be  the  least,  that  I have 
spoken  as  above. 

Greatly  desirous  that  the  humble  offering  here- 
with presented  to  the  noble  cause  of  catholic  union 
and  charity  may  not  prove  entirely  useless,  I now 
beg  leave,  with  these  introductory  remarks  and 
explanations,  prayerfully  to  pass  it  over  to  tho 
Christian  public. 


m 


• ) 


j ■.  ' 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


SECTION  I. 

ESSENTIAL  UNION  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

The  church  of  Christ  is  one, 

I seem  to  myself  to  be  well-nigh  ashamed  to 
write  such  a sentence  as  the  above.  As  if  there 
could  be  any  doubt  of  the  essential  unity  of  the 
Saviour’s  followers  ! No  such  doubt  is  expressed, 
indeed,  but  what  is  the  feeling  ? Does  the 
member  of  a given  denomination  or  sect  actual- 
ly feel  himself  to  be  one  with  all  Christians  of 
every  name  1 Does  he  love  all  as  he  loves  those 
of  his  own  sect  1 Is  there  not  in  his  mind  and 
heart  some  consciousness  of  separation  between 
himself  and  those  of  another  denomination  *?  Do 
all  division  lines  between  Christians  sink  out  of 
his  sight,  and  out  of  mind  1 And  does  he  sur- 
vey all  as  one  great  and  goodly  fellowship  of 
disciples,  utterly  irrespective  of  the  denomina- 
tional epithets  which  they  bear  1 

Inquiries  like  these  may,  perhaps,  suggest  to 


18 


CHRISTIAN  UNION, 


US  that  even  if  it  be  a truism  to  assert  that  the 
church  of  Christ  is  one,  it  is  yet  a truism  which 
needs  to  he  repeated,  and  even  to  be  illustrated. 

We  accordingly  proceed,  without  apology,  to 
exhibit  in  some  particulars  the  actual  unity  of 
the  church  of  Christ. 

1.  This  church  is  one,  of  course,  in  respect 
to  its  Head,  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the 
Head  of  the  church.  He  is  the  great  Shep- 
herd of  all  the  sheep.  And  not  only  is  this 
true  as  an  absolute  fact — Christ  is  so  recog- 
^nized  by  every  Christian  of  every  name.  The 
Messiah — the  Christ  of  the  New  Testament — is 
the  fully  acknowledged  Head — acknowledged 
thus,  not  merely  by  every  Christian  organiza- 
tion, but  by  every  individual  disciple.  There 
is  not  one  • of  them,  in  whatever  division  of  the 
church,  or  of  the  wide  world,  that  does  not  look 
to  Him  as  their  Prophet,  Priest,  King,  and  Sa-, 
viour,  and  who  does  not,  like  Thomas,  reach 
forth  his  hands  Christward,  saying,  My  Lord 
and  my  God  !”  As  a flock,  all  Christians  have 
and  acknowledge  one  Shepherd  ; as  an  army, 
they  all  have  and  acknowledge  one  Captain  ; as 
sinners  saved,  they  trust  in  one  Saviour  ; as  a 
building,  they  have  one  corner-stone  ; as  a body, 
they  recognize  one  head.  Whether  they  look  at 
each  other,  and  acknowledge  each  other,  or  not, 
yet  every  eye  centres  upon  Christ,  and  He  is 
Lord  of  all. 


ESSENTIAL  UNION  OF  THE  CHURCH.  19 

2.  The  Church  of  Christ  is  one  in  respect  to 
the  hihle.  Among  all  the  sects  and  divisions 
of  protestant  Christendom  may  be  seen  the  same 
bible,  at  once  recognized  and  acknowledged  by  all 
in  common.  Every  disciple,  as  he  looks  upon  that 
book,  affirms  it  to  have  been  given  by  the  inspi- 
ration of  God,  and  to  be  profitable  for  doctrine, 
for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in 
righteousness,  that  the  man  of  God  may  be  per- 
fect, thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good  works. 
Each  one  putting  his  eye  upon  the  bible,  agrees 
that  it  is  the  only  and  sufficient  rule  of  faith  and 
practice.  It  is  true,  there  is  not  an  entire  one- 
ness of  interpretation  in  respect  to  all  and  every 
point.  Such  an  entire  oneness,  it  is  likely,  may 
not  exist  with  any  two  minds.  Yet  there  it  is, 
the  one  inspired,  acknowledged  book  of  the  dis- 
ciples, the  one  inspired,  acknowledged  rule  of 
life.  The  bible  that  lies  on  my  table,  wherein 
I read  and  meditate  for  eternity,  is  the  identical 
bible  of  all  protestant  Christendom,  the  bible 
substantially  of  those  professed  churches  who 
have  ventured  upon  the  unhallowed  work  of  cor- 
rupting the  word  of  God. 

3.  The  church  of  Christ  is  one  in  respect  to 
saving  faith.  Every  disciple  of  every  name, 
and  in  every  country,  looks  for  mercy  and  par- 
don through  Christ  alone.  They  all  fall  into 
the  same  arms,  trust  in  the  same  grace,  plant 
their  feet  upon  the  same  rock.  Go  where  you 


20 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


will,  and  to  whatever  Christian,  and  inquire  of 
him  the  ground  of  his  hope  of  eternal  life,  and 
the  answer  is  one.  There  is  not  even  an  appa- 
rent discord.  Christ  is  the  common  founda- 
tion ; they  are  all  sons  and  daughters  “ after 
the  common  faith.”  One  and  the  same  link 
unites  them  to  the  great  source  of  life  and  sal- 
vation. All  of  them  retire  from  self,  all  look 
to  Christ  that  they  may  be  saved. 

.4.  So  the  church  of  Christ  is  one  in  essen 
tial  doctrine  generally  ; that  is,  in  the  doctrine 
which  is  essential  to  salvation.  This  all-im- 
portant fact  is,  I believe,  generally  conceded. 
Hence,  while  there  is  the  melancholy  fact  of 
different  and  distinct  denominations,  there  is 
also,  however,  the  pleasant  recognition  of 
“ evangelical”  denominations.  By  this  lan- 
guage, Christians  of  various  names  concede  that 
essential  truth  is  not  confined  to  any  single  sect 
or  family  of  professing  Christians.  It  is  doubt- 
ful whether,  throughout  evangelical  Christen- 
dom, one  hundred  bigots  could  be  found,  who, 
in  their  minds,  confine  essential  truths  to  their 
own  denomination.  But  whether  this  be  so,  or 
not,  is  not  to  our  point.  The  fact  is,  the  truth 
indispensable  to  save,  is,  blessed  be  God,  with 
each  of  the  great  denominations  of  protestant 
Christians.  In  this  most  important  sense,  they 
are  all  of  one  faith^^^  as  well  as  of  one  Lord. 
The  bible,  in  great  and  essential  matters,  is  a 


ESSENTIAL  UNION  OF  THE  CHURCH.  21 

piain  book,  and  tbe  truly  sincere  and  simple- 
hearted  need  not  err  or  differ  here.  And  they 
do  not.  Touching  all  those  matters  on  which  a 
good  man  would  wish  to  think  and  speak  when 
upon  his  dying  bed,  there  is  no  difference  in  the 
great  church  catholic. 

5.  The  church  of  Christ  is  one  in  baptism^ 
Not  in  respect  to  who  are  the  proper  subjects, 
or  what  the  proper  mode,  do  we  mean,  but  it  is 
one  in  baptism  itself.  There  is  oneness  in  re- 
spect to  its  initiatory  and  symbolical  character, 
oneness  in  looking  through  it  and  beyond  it  to 
that  higher  baptism,  the  baptism  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  of  fire.  Toward  this  “ one  baptism,’^ 
the  eyes  of  the  whole  church  militant  are 
turned.  Without  this  there  is  no  expectation  of 
good  ; the  dry  bones  are  universally  expected  to 
remain  dry  ; the  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  to 
remain  in  their  deaths. 

6.  Hence  the  church  of  Christ  is  one  in 
prayer.  Let  any  one  set  himself  to  compare 
the  public  and  social  prayers  of  ministers  and 
Christians  of  different  denominations.  Suppose 
them  to  be  written^  so  that  they  could  be  read 
side  by  side  with  each  other,  and  what  would  be 
the  difference  1 A difference  of  style  1 True. 
A difference  in  comprehensiveness  1 It  may  be. 
A difference  in  arrangement  or  order  I Exactly 
so.  A difference  in  thought  and  spirit  I Scarce- 
ly nothing  of  this  sort  of  difference.  They  have 


22 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


learned  to  pray  and  praise  from  the  same  divine 
forms.  They  hi|,ve  been  baptized  into  the  same 
spirit.  The  heart  of  Christ  is  the  common  cen- 
tre of  all  their  holy  impulses  and  longings.  In 
his  awful  and  blessed  presence,  they  all  mingle 
into  one.  Cold  and  cheerless  distance  is  for- 
gotten ; speculative  differences  die  out  of  mind, 
while  there  is  one  common  struggle  for  the  great 
salvation.  Oh,  if,  amid  the  tribes  of  Israel, 
there  -were  more  praying  and  praising,  and  less 
disputing  and  dogmatizing,  then  might  we  look 
immediately  for  the  crumbling  of  division  walls, 
and  a spiritual  and  holy  coalescing  among  the 
ranks  of  God. 

7.  The  church  of  Christ  is  one  in  hope.  He 
that  shall  read  the  hope  of  one  pious  spirit — no 
matter  of  wTat  name  or  sect — reads  at  the  same 
time  the  hope  of  the  whole  community  of  disci- 
ples. Not  only  is  the  foundation  identical,  the 
object  is  one  and  the  same.  It  is  ‘‘the  hope  of 
eternal  life’’  that  is  actuating  and  animating,  as 
by  one  universal  impulse,  the  follow^ers  of  the 
Lamb  ; which  hope  they  all  have  as  an  anchor 
of  the  soul,  both  sure  and  steadfast.  Quench 
this  great  idea  and  expectation,  and  you  at  once 
lay  prostrate  every  Christian  upon  earth.  The 
same  dread  sensation  would  shock  all  hearts, 
and  palsy  every  arm. 

8.  The  church  of  Christ  is  one  in  fear. 
Every  Christian,  wherever  he  belongs,  fears 


ESSENTIAL  UNION  OF  THE  CHURCH.  23 

God — fears  Him  witli  a I10I3",  abiding,  and  all- 
controlling  fear.  In  view  of  any  particular  act, 
whether  visible  or  invisible,  they  all  inquire. 
Is  this  pleasing  to  God  They  fear  to  offend 
Him.  His  fear  in  the  heart,  is  one  of  the  grand 
characteristics  marking  every  child  of  God.  Im- 
agine any  overt  sin,  as  lying,  fraud,  unclean- 
ness. profaneness,  and  imagine  a temptation  to 
such  a sin  to  be  placed  before  five  Christians, 
of  as  many  denominations,  and  who  does  not 
see  that  the  principle  of  their  resistance  is  one 
and  the  same  I In  other  words,  they  are  one 
in  fearing  God  ; in  preferring  to  die  rather  than 
to  offend  Him.  The  entire  multitude  of  pious 
ones  are  God-fearing  people,  while  tliis  high 
and  cardinal  principle  has  no  recognition  what- 
ever of  sectarian  limits. 

9.  The  church  of  Christ  is  one  in  love.  All 
Christians  love  God,  and  the  things  of  God,  and 
the  people  of  God.  This  love  may  differ  in 
degree,  but  such  a difference  has  no  relation  to 
denominational  lines.  If  there  is  a difference 
in  the  degree  of  this  love  between  two  persons 
of  different  sects,  it  is  no  greater  than  a thou- 
sand similar  differences  in  the  same  sect.  Such 
a distinction  bespeaks  only  degrees  of  piety, 
and  not  at  all  a variety  of  denomination.  And 
then  this  love  is  one  in  kind.  It  is  the  same 
holy,  spiritual,  delightful  affection,  whether  in 
one  family  of  Christians  or  another.  Who  may 


24 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


have  contemplated  the  love  that  glowed  in  the 
heart  of  Leighton  the  bishop,  of  Fletcher  the 
Methodist,  and  of  Edwards  the  Congregation- 
alist,  and  failed  to  perceive  that  this  love  was 
identical — three  kindred  flames,  kindled  at  the 
same  altar,  emitting  the  same  glorious  brillian- 
cy, and  towering  upward  toward  the  same  God, 
and  the  same  heaven  1 Might  these  same 
flames  have  approached  each  other,  they  would 
have  commingled  as  suddenly  as  delightfully, 
and  their  united  offering  would  have  rolled  up 
as  sweet  incense  before  the  throne. 

10.  So,  also,  is  the  church  of  Christ  one  in 
the  opposite  sentiment  of  hatred.  Every  Chris- 
tian, regardless  of  his  name  or  country,  hates  sin 
and  wickedness.  In  everyone  of  Christ’s  mem- 
bers, there  is  the  same  kind  of  hostility  toward 
the  works  of  Satan,  and  the  crimes  of  wicked 
men.  They,  without  exception,  hate  Avhat 
Christ  hates — all  have  undergone  a similar  re- 
newal of  their  affections,  and  have  been  made  to 
drink,  measurably,  into  the  same  spirit.  They 
have  all  had  the  godly  sorrow  that  worketh  re- 
pentance, and  wmat  carefulness  hath  it  wrought  in 
them — yea,  what  clearing  of  themselves — yea, 
what  indignation — yea,  what  fear — yea,  what 
revenge ! 

11.  The  church  of  Christ  is  one  in  suffer- 
ings. Do  not  all  true  Christians  have  similar 
trials  and  conflicts  I Are  they  not  engaged  in 


ESSENTIAL  U])TION  OF  THE  CHURCH.  25 

the  same  warfare  against  sin,  whether  existing 
in  themselves,  or  in  others  ? Have  they  not 
common  tears  as  they  look  out  upon  the  wicked- 
ness of  this  world,  and  the  waste  places  and 
desolations  of  Zion  1 Are  there  not  the  same 
hatred  and  the  same  persecutions  from  an  un- 
godly world  toward  all  faithful  Christians,  of 
w^hatever  name  or  country  ? Is  not  the  cross 
laid  upon  every  child  of  God  ? Must  not  all 
endure,  all  deny  themselves,  all  fight  the  good 
fight  of  faith,  all  give  up  the  world,  all  run  with 
patience  the  race  set  before  them  1 Of  all  Chris- 
tians is  it  not  true,  in  an  important  sense,  and  in 
/ every  age,  that  it  is  through  much  tribulation 
they  must  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God  1 Can 
any  Christian  take  up,  only  for  a moment,  the 
biography  of  another  Christian,  no  matter  what 
the  sect,  and  not  read  there  the  story  of  his  own 
trials  and  sorrows  ? But  enough  upon  a point 
so  plain. 

12.  Equally  true  is  it  that  the  church  of 
Christ  is  one  in  joy.  The  “joy  of  faith”  is 
the  common  property  of  all  the  pious.  All  be- 
ing built  upon  the  same  foundation,  they  all  re- 
joice in  Christ  Jesus  ; they  are  comforted  by 
His  Spirit.  His  peace  He  gives  unto  them  all, 
and  not  as  the  world  giveth.  At  every  triumph 
of  righteousness  along  this  fallen  world,  the  joy 
of  the  whole  Christian  community  is  the  same. 
At  every  repentance  and  conversion,  the  rejoic- 


26 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


ing  of  the  whole  church,  so  far  as  such  repent- 
ance is  known,  is  in  sympathy  with  the  joy  of 
angels.  The  identity  of  the  church’s  rejoicing 
is,  in  fact,  as  real  as  that  of  their  prayers,  their 
hopes,  their  fears,  their  faith,  and  their  love. 

13.  The  church  of  Christ  is  one  in  object  and 
effort.  Call  up  what  is  in  the  eye  of  any  genu- 
ine member  of  the  church  of  Christ,  and  when 
you  have  found  it,  you  have  found  what  is  the 
object  and  aim  of  every  other  true  disciple  upon 
earth.  Does  one  of  Christ’s  followers  seek  to 
save  himself  and  others  ? So  does  every  one  ; 
nor  need  you  ask  after  his  sect  or  nation.  The 
purpose  of  Christ  himself  is  the  purpose  of  all 
His  people.  Watch,  for  one  day,  that  faithful 
Congregational  minister.  See  him  as  he  is  kneel- 
ing early  before  God.  Listen  and  hear  /rhat  he 
is  saying  in  his  prayer.  Mark  him  turning  over 
his  bible,  comparing  scripture  with  scripture — 
then  sketching  down  his  best  thoughts.  Notice 
him  as  he,  now  and  then,  rises  from  his  chair 
and  walks  his  study — his  heart,  and  hands,  and 
eyes,  all  uplifted  toward  heaven.  Watch  him 
as  he  goes  out,  by  and  by  ; follow  him  into  those 
houses,  and  listen  as  he  speaks  to  various  classes 
of  persons.  Go  with  him  into  his  conference- 
room — hear  his  instructions,  exhortations,  pray- 
ers. On  the  next  day,  follow,  with  the  same 
scrutiny,  a pious  Episcopalian,  a Baptist,  or 
Methodist  minister,  and  when  you  shall  have 


ESSENTIAL  UNION  OF  THE  CHURCH.  2T 

compared  the  two,  or,  if  you  please,  the  four, 
then  set  yourself  to  ascertain,  if  possible,  the 
difference,  as  it  respects  the  aim  and  efforts  of 
those  godly  men.  It  is  true  that,  some  how,  the;^ 
bear  different  names,  and  they  move  in  different 
circles,  and,  on  the  Sabbath,  pass  into  different 
places  of  worship,  yet,  after  all,  they  are  as  sub- 
stantially alike  in  spirit,  in  effort,  in  purpose,  as 
if  all  the  four  were  of  the  same  order  ; in  other 
words,  as  if  these  same  four  men  had  been  con- 
temporaries of  Paul,  instead  of  living  in  an  age 
of  divisions.  Or  pass  to  history.  Somewhat 
more  than  one  hundred  years  ago,  there  was  an 
uncommon  reviving  of  religion  on  both  sides  of 
the  Atlantic,  bearing,  in  its  progress  and  phe- 
nomena, very  striking  marks  of  similarity.  John 
Wesley,  that  stout  Arminian,  was  a prominent 
agent  in  the  one  revival,  and  Jonathan  Edwards, 
that  prince  of  Calvinism,  a distinguished  actor 
in  the  other.  The  two  champions  seemed  wide 
apart  in  some  of  their  speculative  notions,  they 
were  divided  in  some  subordinate  sense,  while  yet 
they  were  one  in  the  all-important  sense.  They 
strove  alike  for  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel. 
They  were  at  entire  harmony  as  it  respected  the 
great  purpose  of  life,  and  the  efforts  to  be  made 
for  a world’s  salvation.  The  same  is  true  of  all 
Christ’s  faithful  ones. 

14.  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them.” 
The  church  of  Christ  being  one  in  purpose  and 


28 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


effort,  are  one,  also,  in  character.  They  are  all 
born  of  the  Spirit ; old  things  have  passed  away, 
all  things  are  become  new.  It  is  needless  to 
speak  of  names  and  parties  ; it  is  true  of  every 
Christian  upon  earth,  that  he  has  put  off  the  old 
man  with  his  affections  and  lusts,  and  has  put 
on  the  new  man,  which  is  renewed  in  knowledge 
after  the  image  of  Him  who  created  him.  They 
have  all  drunk  of  the  same  spiritual  rock. 
The  image  of  Christ,  to  a greater  or  less  extent, 
is  enstamped  upon  each.  Is  sin  your  greatest 
distress,  and  are  you  daily  laboring  to  grow  up 
into  Christ,  your  living  head,  in  all  things  1 So 
is  it  with  your  brother  and  sister  of  another  de- 
nomination. 

15.  And  being  one  in  character,  it  follows 
that  the  church  of  Christ  is  one  in  respect  to ' 
relation.  Come  out  from  among  them,  and 
be  ye  separate,  and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing, 
and  I will  receive  you,  and  be  a F ather  unto  you, 
and  ye  shall  be  my  sons  and  daughters,  saith  the 
Lord  Almighty.’’  Such  is  the  high  and  com- 
mon relation  of  all  that  have  come  to  Christ. 
Their  denominational  epithet  comes  not  once 
into  the  account.  They  are  all  children  of 
God,  not  by  virtue  of  sect  or  creed,  but  by 
faith  in  Christ  Jesus.  Human  names,  human 
leaders  or  parties,  have  nothing  to  do  with  this 
great  matter ; for  there  is  neither  Greek  nor 
Jew,  Barbarian,  Scythian,  bond  nor  free  3 but 


ESSENTIAL  UNION  OF  THE  CHURCH.  29 

Christ  is  all  and  in  all.  With  what  amazing  em- 
phasis, therefore,  comes  home  to  every  one  the 
injunction,  saying,  Take  heed  that  ye  despise 
not  one  of  these  little  ones.’’  And  many  of  such 
“ little  ones,”  owned  and  loved  of  God,  are 
scattered  abroad  over  the  world.  If  ye  will  find 
them,  forget  all  human  classifications,  and  all 
the  sad  prejudices  of  sect,  all  the  partialities 
and  antipathies  that  have  grown  up  with  your 
growth.  Look  up  to  God  for  a purified  vision, 
that  you  may  see  clearly,  and  judge  impartially, 
and  if  ye  find  any  that  love  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  then,  as  to  your  own  brethren  and  sisters 
in  Christ,  pronounce,  “ Grace  be  with  you  all !” 

16.  Finally,  the  church  of  Christ  is  one  in 
respect  to  their  eternal  home.  Does  any  intel- 
ligent Christian  doubt  that  Robert  Hall,  Bishop 
Griswold,  Dr.  Payson,  and  Wilbur  Fisk  have 
gone  up  to  the  same  paradise  ? Whatever  might 
have  been  once  their  speculative  differences,  is 
not  their  final  and  everlasting  home  the  same  1 
And  is  it  not  just  as  certain  that  all  Christians 
of  this  generation,  and  of  whatever  name,  are 
passing  to  the  same  glorious  and  immortal  rest  1 
Are  there  not  ministers  of  Christ  now  laboring 
near  each  other  with  but  little  intercourse,  be- 
cause a carnal  barricade  is  reared  between  them  ? 
And  yet  these  same  ministers  will,  in  some 
forthcoming  day,  love  each  other  better  far  than 
Jonathan  and  David  ever  loved.  “ Father,  I 


30 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


will  tliat  those  whom  thou  hast  given  me  be  with 
me  where  I am,  that  they  may  behold  my  glory.” 
And  not  a disciple  on  earth  contemplates  that 
when  that  innumerable  company  shall  assemble 
in  heaven,  there  will  be  any  thing  to  hurt”  like 
those  sad  divisions  and  separations  which,  in 
this  dark  world,  so  afflict  the  church  of  God, 
and  grieve  the  heart  of  Him  who  loves  all  his 
chosen  ones.  Blessed  be  the  thought  of  that 

goodly  fellowship”  that  is  certainly  to  be  one 
of  the  precious  facts  in  the  history  of  eternal 
redemption  ! There ' shall  be  no  night  there. 
Each  intellect  will  be  cloudless  ; each  heart  will 
be  sinless ; each  character  will  be  altogether' 
lovely. 

The  church  of  Christ,  then,  is  one — origin- 
ally, essentially,  and  eternally  one.  The  lines 
of  division  that  are  seen  running  hither  and 
thither  through  the  body,  all  these,  be  it  remem-' 
bered,  are  human,  and  carnal,  and  wrong.  They 
bespeak  the  footsteps  and  workings  of  evil,  and 
Christ  the  Lord  has  no  fellowship  for  them,  no 
participation  in  them.  “ Neither  pray  I for 
these  alone,  but  for  them  also,  which  shall  be- 
lieve on  me  through  their  word,  that  they  all 
may  be  one.” 


VISIBLE  UNION  THE  ORIGINAL  DESIGN.  81 


SECTION  II. 

VISIBLE  UNION  THE  ORIGINAL  DESIGN. 

From  tlie  closing  remarks  of  the  preceding 
section,  I have  betrayed  my  opinion  that  the 
visible  as  well  as  the  actual  and  essential  unity 
of  the  church  of  Christ  was  the  will  of  its  great 
Founder  and  Head.  The  reasons  for  such  an 
opinion  shall  now  be  given. 

1.  And  first,  the  actual  unity  already  shown, 
seems  of  itself  a conclusive  consideration.  For 
has  Christ  formed  the  hearts  of  his  disciples 
thus  alike,  and  chosen  at  the  same  time  that 
they  should  be  divided  up  into  parties  or  sects, 
on  the  ground  of  disagreement  in  non-essential 
truths'?  Behold  God’s  people  scattered  up  and 
down  this  Avorld.  They  are  passing  through 
their  brief  pilgrimage  toward  their  heavenly  and 
everlasting  home.  They  all  acknowledge  the 
same  Head,  the  same  rule  of  life,  the  same  foun- 
dation of  hope,  the  same  cardinal  doctrines,  the 
same  spiritual  baptism.  Their  hopes  and  fears, 
their  love  and  hatred,  their  sufferings  and  joys, 
their  prayers  and  praises  are  one  and  the  same. 


32 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


Their  purpose  of  life,  their  characters,  their 
efforts  and  labors  are  one.  They  bear  the  same 
high  and  holy  relation,  and  all  are  destined  to 
the  same  eternal  and  happy  home.  All  these 
important  considerations,  and  more  besides,  agree 
in  this  great  company — an  agreement  designed 
and  secured  by  the  glorious  Saviour  and  Master. 
Now  who  can  believe  that  with  such  an  actual 
unity  a visible  division  was  at  the  same  time 
chosen  and  willed  ; a division  precluding  almost 
all  intercourse  between  the  several  sections ; 
nor  stopping  there,  but  accompanied,  often,  by 
a most  painful  expenditure  and  waste  of  time  in 
thriftless  controversies,  and  thus  engendering 
alienation,  coldness,  distrust,  severity  of  judg- 
ment among  those  who  should  love  each  other 
with  a love  which  many  waters  might  not 
quench. 

Is  such  the  usual  mamier  of  God’s  ordering  7 
Where  else,  in  whatever  province  of  his  work- 
ings, may  be  seen  a similar  manifestation  and 
phenomenon  7 Refer  to  the  different  parts  of 
the  human  body,  a source  of  imagery,  by  the 
way,  of  repeated  use  by  inspiration,  for  illus- 
trating this  very  subject  of  the  church’s  unity. 
But  is  there  not  a visible  division  of  the  human 
body  7 Nothing  at  all  of  such  division  as  cor- 
responds to  the  existing  divisions  of  the  church 
catholic.  There  are  different  powers,  and  for 
different  purposes,  just  as  there  are  divers  ca- 


VISIBLE  UNION  THE  ORIGINAL  DESIGN.  33 

pacities,  and  adapted  to  different  ends,  in  every 
individual  church  or  congregation.  But,  like 
that  same  church  or  congregation,  the  different 
faculties  of  the  human  system  are  still  a unity.- 
There  is  still  one  body.’’  There  is  nothing 
contrarious  and  conflicting.  * The  union  is  as 
visible  as  it  is  real,  and  real  as  it  is  visible. 
Thus,  if  one  member  suffers,  all  the  members 
suffer  with  it ; or,  if  one  rejoices,  all  the  others 
rejoice  with  it,  and  in  perfect  and  absolute  sym- 
pathy. But  what  sort  of  a body  would  that  be, 
that  might  fully  image  forth  the  visible  position 
of  the  church  of  Christ  1 I tremble  and  sicken, 
as  I venture  a look  toward  such  an  exhibition. 
What  if,  by  some  strange  miracle,  a human 
body,  from  its  natural  and  beautiful  unity, 
should  suddenly  become  visibly  separated  into 
divers  parts,  with  as  many  minds,  yet  sufficiently 
hanging  together  by  some  slight  hgaments,  espe- 
cially by  the  common  union  of  the  dissevered 
portions  to  the  head,  as  to  constitute  it  obvi- 
ously one  body.  Imagine,  further,  that  the 
head  is  the  principal  mind,  and  influences,  more 
or  less,  all  the  subordinate  minds  of  the  mem- 
bers. Imagine,  yet  further,  that  a long  journey, 
and  fraught  with  most  important  consequences, 
were  stretching  itself  before  that  curious  body. 
The  principal  mind,  we  will  suppose,  strikes 
forward,  and  purposes  the  performance  of  the 
tour,  and  the  securing  of  the  glorious  results. 


34 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


But  the  union  of  the  members  with  each  other, 
and  of  each  member  to  the  common  head,  is  too 
feeble  for  any  combined  effort.  Each  foot  pro- 
poses to  go  its  own  way,  and  without  any  par- 
ticular co-operation  with  its  fellow.  If  the  path 
is  rugged  and  steep,  each  part  of  the  body 
selects  independently  its  own  means  of  progress. 
Instead  of  the  hands  and  feet  acting  in  harmo- 
ny, and  aiding  each  other  up  the  declivity,  one 
arm  di*aws  to  the  right,  the  other  to  the  left ; 
one  foot  strains  for  the  ascent,  while  the  other 
is  lying  motionless  upon  the  rock.  In  the  pro- 
gress of  the  journey  a powerful  enemy  besets 
this  strange  and  anomalous  body,  and  seeks  by 
day  and  by  night  to  compass  its  utter  destruc- 
tion. It  would  seem  that  every  part  and  divi- 
sion must  now  harmonize  and  combine  against 
the  common  and  destructive  foe.  One  and  an- 
other of  the  members  are  wounded  by  the  ene- 
my’s weapons  ; yet  the  others,  so  slight  is  the 
connection,  feel  but  little  pain  at  seeing  the 
blood  and  anguish  of  their  wounded  companions. 
Nay,  in  the  very  presence  of  their  common  ad- 
versary, they  take  their  eyes  away  from  him, 
and  begin  to  charge  upon  each  other,  and,  in 
the  most  melancholy  manner,  worry  and  afflict 
and  weaken  each  other,  thus  rendering  them- 
selves, and  the  whole  body,  a more  easy  prey  to 
the  destroyer, 

I will  thank  the  critic  not  to  dissect  my  par- 


VISIBLE  UNION  THE  ORIGINAL  DESIGN.  35 

able  too  closely.  If  it  may  help  to  impress  the 
sadness,  the  absurdity,  of  the  visible  divisions 
in  the  church  of  Christ,  my  object  is  gained  in 
raising  such  a chimera.  For  did  God  ever  order 
such  a monster  in  nature  1 Never ; and  never, 
as  certainly,  did  He  ever  order  in  his  church 
the  present  separations,  and  the  too  often  bellig- 
erent divisions  existing  there.  He  has  given 
all  real  Christians  the  same  blessed  spirit,  work- 
ing in  them  the  same  character,  and  He  wills 
that  there  be  no  division  or  schism,  visible  or 
invisible,  but  that  speaking  the  truth  in  love, 
they  may  grow  up  into  Him  in  all  things  which 
is  the  head,  even  Christ,  from  whom  the  whole 
body  fitly  joined  together,  and  compacted  by 
that  which  every  joint  supplieth,  according  to 
the  effectual  working  in  the  measure  of  every 
part,  maketh  increase  of  the  body  unto  the  edi- 
fying of  itself  in  love. 

2.  The  original  church  was  visibly  one. 

The  Christian  church  commenced  its  exist- 
ence under  the  ministry  of  Christ  himself.  The 
number  of  those  who  came  to  him,  trusted  in 
him  as  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  and  became  his 
disciples,  is  unknown,  nor  is  it  essential.  There 
were  the  twelve  apostles,  the  seventy  also,” 
and  we  read  of  “ above  five  hundred  brethren  ” 
who  saw  the  Lord  after  his  resurrection.  These 
first  disciples  constituted,  with  their  divine 
Head,  the  original  Christian  church,  and  that 


36 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


this  church,  during  Christ’s  personal  ministry, . 
was  visibly  one,  none,-  of  course,  will  call  in 
question.  There  is  no  more  sign  of  divisions 
among  those  “ little  ones,”  than  of  party  lines 
in  the  same  household  of  well-trained  and  obe- 
dient children.  The  only  line  of  distinction 
which  we  recognize,  is  that  between  the  disciples 
and  “the  world.”  “I  have  manifested  thy 
name  unto  the  men  whom  thou  hast  given  me 
out  of  the  world.  * * I pray  for  them  ; I pray 
not  for  the  world,  but  for  them  that  thou  hast 
given  me.  ^ ^ Holy  Father,  keep  through 
thine  own  name  those  whom  thou  hast  given 
me,  that  they  may  be  one  as  we  are  !”  The 
denominations  that  existed  in  the  time  of  Christ 
on  earth,  and  when  he  uttered  this  prayer,  were 
two  only,  namely,  the  disciples  and  the  world  ; 
and  the  disciples  were  one  and  undivided. 

During  the  interval  from  the  ascension  to 
the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  at  Pentecost,  the 
union  w^as  unbroken ; and  on  the  morning  of 
that  day  they  were  all  with  one  accord  in  one 
place.  The  great  revival  that  ensued,  affected 
the  union  of  the  church  only  to  strengthen  it, 
for  all  that  believed  were  together^  and  had  all 
things  common,  and  they  continued  daily  with 
one  accord.  The  same  phenomenon  is  seen 
still  more  clearly  and  emphatically  in  the  second 
outpouring  of  the  Spirit,  shortly  after.  For  as 
they  were  all  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 


VISIBLE  UNION  THE  ORIGINAL  DESIGN.  37 

spake  the  word  of  God  with  boldness,  it  is  im- 
mediately written  that  the  multitude  of  them 
that  believed  were  of  one  heart  and  of  one  soul; 
a description  answering,  as  nearly  as  we  can  im- 
agine, to  the  prayer  of  Christ  above  recorded, 
for  the  perfect  union  of  his  followers. 

Passing  still  further  along,  we  come  to  the 
days  where  the  number  of  the  disciples  was  mul- 
tiplied,” and  when  the  twelve  assembled  the 
multitude  for  a special  and  important  purpose. 
(Acts  vi.)  The  address  of  the  apostles,  on  that 
occasion,  pleased  the  whole  multitude.  And 
still  the  word  of  God  increased,  and  the  number 
of  believers  multiplied  in  Jerusalem  greatly,  and 
a great  company  of  the  priests  were  obedient  to 
the  faith.  But  still  there  is  but  one  denomina- 
tion— the  disciples.  In  connection  with  Ste- 
phen’s martyrdom,  there  arose  a great  perse- 
cution, not  against  churches  or  parties,  but 
against  the  church  f the  one  church,  which  was 
at  Jerusalem  ; and  Saul’s  havoc  was  a havoc 
of  the  church;”  and  though  the  persecution 
scattered  them  widely,  yet  were  they  still  the  one 
united  church  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  From  this 
time,  through  the  faithful  preaching  of  the  scat- 
tered ones,  the  Lord  working  with  them,  church- 
es arose  in  various  parts,  and  Gentiles,  as  well  as 
Jews,  in  multitudes  became  disciples  of  the  Cru- 
cified. Saul  of  Tarsus,  in  a better  sense  than 
Saul  the  ancient,  is  suddenly  found  among  the 


38 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


prophets,  and  is  launched  away  on  his  strong 
career  of  evangelism,  and  from  Jerusalem  round 
about  to  Illyricum,  he  fully  preaches  the  gospel 
of  Christ ; while  under  his  labors,  and  those  of 
the  other  apostles,  multitudes  of  churches  arise 
over  the  pagan  world.  But  those  churches  are 
still  one.  The  prayer  of  Christ  is  still  answered 
when  praying  for  his  apostles  and  original  dis- 
ciples, he  adds,  “ Neither  pray  I for  these  alone, 
but  for  them,  also,  which  shall  believe  on  me 
through  their  word,  that  they  all  may  be  one.’’ 
In  the  church  of  Christ,  Jew  and  Gentile,  great  as 
was  their  former  distance  from  each  other,  min- 
gled into  one.  Thus,  after  speaking  of  his  flock 
gathered  from  Israel,  the  great  Shepherd  sub- 
joins, saying,  And  other  sheep  I have  which 
are  not  of  this  fold.  Them,  also,  I must  bring, 
and  they  shall  hear  my  voice,  and  there  shall  be 
one  fold  and  one  shepherd.”  The  apostle  ac- 
cordingly writes  that  among  the  heirs  of  prom- 
ise, “ there  is  neither  Jew  nor  Greek,  there  is 
neither  bond  nor  free,  there  is  neither  male  nor 
female  ; for  ye  are  all  one  in  Christ  Jesus.” 

“ Oh  ! how  dear  was  the  unity  of  His  disciples 
to  the  heart  of  Christ ! How  prominent  is  this 
thought  in  his  prayer  for  his  church  ! The  one 
Shepherd  sought  one  fold,  where  every  jarring 
string  should  be  silent  forever  where  the  per- 
fect oneness  and  love  of  the  church  militant. 


VISIBLE  UNION  THE  ORIGINAL  DESIGN.  39 

should  antedate  the  blissful  concord  and  harmo- 
ny of  eternity. 

In  further  illustration  of  the  visible  unity  of 
the  original  church,  the  instructions  of  the  apos- 
tle Paul  to  the  Corinthians  is  strikingly  to  the 
point.  It  appears  that  the  spirit  of  faction  early 
crept  into  the  Corinthian  church,  growing  out 
of  their  adherence  to  favorite  teachers  and 
I preachers,  after  the  manner  of  the  disciples  of 
Jewish  leaders,  as  well  as  those  of  the  pagan 
philosophers.  In  other  words,  the  church  came 
j into  a state  of  division,  and  such  division  began 
to  be  not  merely  real  and  actual,  but  visible  also. 

I That  pure  spiritual  and  visible  union  answering 
to  the  prayer  of  Christ  became  jarred.  As  the 
tidings  of  this  state  of  things  came  to  the  ears  of 
the  apostle,  the  action  he  at  once  took  on  the 
subject  should  receive  the  careful  attention  of 
every  Christian  upon  earth.  No  sooner  does  he, 
in  his  epistle,  finish  his  courteous  salutation  in- 
troductory, than  he  seizes,  in  direct  and  strong 
I attack,  upon  the  jarring  commencing  among 
[ these  disciples.  It  seems  to  be  the  great  anxi- 
; ety  struggling  in  his  heart.  He  sees  the  kind- 

t ling  fire,  and  hastens  to  'quench  it  if  he  may. 

[;  Great  is  his  emotion,  for  he  feels  that  great  con- 
1 sequences  are  involved.  Hear  him  for  the  sake 
I of  Christ,  and  his  church.  Now  I beseech 
I you,  brethren,  by  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
j Christ,  that  ye  all  speak  the  same  thing,  and 


40 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


that  there  be  no  divisions  among  you,  but  that 
ye  be  perfectly  joined  together  in  the  same 
mind  and  in  the  same  judgment.”  Who,  on 
reading  this  pressing  and  remarkable  exhorta- 
tion, does  not  see,  without  a veil,  the  visible 
unity  of  the  primitive  church?  Such  an  ad- 
dress bespeaks  to  us  that  divisions”  were  not 
the  order  of  the  day  among  the  early  followers 
of  Christ.  They  were  rather  the  dreadful  excep- 
tions to  the  general  rule — a startling  anomaly 
rising  up  in  the  church  like  the  genius  of  ruin — 
foul  spirits  that  required  to  be  laid  suddenly, 
and  effectually,  and  forever.  “ I beseech  you ! 
— I beseech  you,  hrethren! — I beseech  you, 
brethren,  hy  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ Oh ! that  the  apostolic  entreaty 
might  still  thunder  and  echo  along  the  ranks  of 
Christ’s  frail  and  feeble  disciples  ! But  what 
is  the  occasion  of  this  strenuous  address  of  the 
apostle  to  the  Corinthian  Christians  ? He  shall 
speak  for  himself.  For  it  hath  been  declared 
unto  me  of  you,  my  brethren,  of  them  which  are 
of  the  house  of  Chloe,  that  there  are  contentions 
among  you.  Now  this  I say,  that  every  one  of 
you  saith,  I am  of  Paul,  and  I of  Apollos,  and 
I of  Cephas,  and  I of  Christ.  Is  Christ  di- 
vided?” Think  of  this  question,  ye  “several 
sects.”  But  how  does  the  apostle  treat  this 
condition  of  things  ? What  saith  he  to  the  di- 
vided ones  ? “Ye  are  yet  carnal;  for  whereas 


VISIBLE  UNION  THE  ORIGINAL  DESIGN.  41 

there  is  among  you  envying,  and  strife,  and  di- 
vision, are  ye  not  carnal,  and  walk  as  men? 
For  while  one  saith  ^ I am  of  Paul,’  and  another, 
^ I am  of  Apollos,’  are  ye  not  carnal  ? Who, 
then,  is  Paul,  and  who  is  Apollos,  but  ministers 
by  whom  ye  believed,  even  as  the  Lord  gave  to 
every  man  ?”  What,  then,  of  visible  divisions 
among  Christians,  divisions  into  parties  and 
sects,  and  naturally  involving  coldness,  strife, 
or  envying  ? It  is  carnal.  It  is  purely  of  this 
world,  and  partakes  not  in  the  smallest  degree 
of  the  true  spiritual  nature  and  baptism.  It  is 
uninspired,  a foreign  element,  a spirit  of  earth, 
and  has  no  place  in  that  kingdom  which  is  de- 
clared to  be  not  of  this  world. 

But  how  does  the  apostolic  voice  call  back 
the  discordant  disciples  to  peace  and  oneness  ? 
By  elevating  before  their  eyes  that  which  is  as 
much  better  than  division  as  the  ocean  is  vaster 
than  the  rivulets  that  flow  into  it,  or  as  immor- 
tality is  superior  to  the  pleasures  of  an  hour. 

Let  no  man  glory  in  men.  For  all  things  are 
yours.  Whether  Paul,  or  Apollos,  or  Cephas, 
or  the  world,  or  life,  or  death,  or  things  present, 
or  things  to  come,  all  are  yours,  and  ye  are 
Christ’s.”  After  an  assurance  like  this,  and 
given  under  such  circumstances,  who  can  ever 
suffer  division  more  ? 

Thus  we  have  glanced  at  the  apostolic  atti- 
tude in  respect  to  church  divisions  in  a single 


42 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


instance.  In  addition,  it  may  be  sufficient,  in 
this  place,  to  remind  the  reader  that  the  same 
attitude  is  conspicuous  in  all  the  epistles  of  the 
New  Testament,  and  down  to  the  latest  whisper 
from  lips  inspired.  Every  heavenly  breath  calls 
to  union  of  heart  and  effort,  and  prompts  the 
heirs  of  salvation  to  rise  from  the  carnal  and  the 
discordant,  into  the  spiritual  and  harmonious. 
From  recorded  inspiration  there  comes  forth  a 
voice  pealing  on  the  ears  cf  all  Christians,  and 
the  sum  thereof  is,  “Let  there  be  no  divisions 
among  you,  but  be  ye  all  of  one  heart  and  one 
mind,  striving  together  for  the  faith  of  the 
gospel.’’ 

Thus  was  it  true  that  the  original  church  of 
Christ  is  declared  to  be  one ; that  when  divi- 
sions arose,  they  were,  by  inspired  interference, 
promptly  and  utterly  discountenanced  and  con- 
demned ; and  that  the  inspired  influence,  in  re- 
spect to  Christian  union,  was  the  same  so  long 
as  that  influence  was  given.  The  original 
church,  then,  was  visibly  one,  and  not  divided 
by  sects. 

But  I blush  in  presence  of  the  conclusion 
which,  after  so  much  labor,  I have  written.  For 
who  ever  doubted  so  plain  a thing?  Still,  a 
slight  review  of  the  facts  specified  will  not  in- 
jure the  Christian ; it  may  even  yield  a holy 
and  healing  influence. 

But  if  the  original  and  apostolic  church  was 


VISIBLE  UNION  THE  ORIGINAL  DESIGN.  43 

one,  and  was  throughout  the  world  undivided 
by  sect  or  denomination,  what  does  such  a fact 
indicate  touching  the' will  of  Christ  in  respect 
to  the  perpetuity  of,  such  union  7 Did  He  con- 
template future  alterations  of  church  regimen, 
and  a division  into  divers  rival  sects,  in  order, 
as  some  appear  to  believe,  that  by  their  very 
rivalry  and  friction,  the  triumphs  of  His  kingdom 
might  be  hastened  ? God  forbid  I The  weap- 
ons of  the  Christian  warfare  are  still  not  carnal. 
Union  is  strength  forever ; division  is  weak- 
ness eternally.  And  He  who  in  the  beginning 
saw  fit  to  form  His  church  a union,  union  act- 
ual and  visible,  has  not,  down  to  this  very  cen- 
tre of  the  nineteenth  century,  altered  His  plan 
a whit,  or  deigned  a solitary  smile  at  one  of  all 
man’s  fancied  improvements  upon  His  perfect 
and  matchless  workings. 

3.  The  whole  nature  of  the  case  goes  to  con- 
vince us  that  the  church’s  visible  unity  was  the 
mind  and  will  of  its  ever-blessed  Head  and  Au- 
thor. 

Select  a few  out  of  a multitude  of  fects,  for 
the  sake  of  illustration. 

(1.)  Christ’s  people  are  to  love  each  other. 
Nor  is  this  love  to  be  any  common  affection  of 
the  heart.  It  is  to  be,  as  wm  have  seen  before, 
a love  stronger  than  life.  They  are  to  be  fol- 
lowers of  God  as  dear  children,  and  walk  in 
love  as  Christ  also  hath  loved  them.  Their 


44 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


hearts  are  to  be  knit  together  in  love.  Loving 
each  other  is  made  a capital  evidence  whereby 
they  may  know  that  they  have  passed  from 
death  to  life ; while  it  is  plainly  declared  that 
he  who  loveth  not  his  brother  abideth  in  death. 
John,  in  showing  the  love  of  Christ  in  laying 
down  his  life  for,  his  people,  adds,  that  “ we 
ought  to  lay  down  our  lives  for  the  brethren.” 

Now  a love  like  this  being  the  established 
duty,  as  well  as  beautiful  privilege  of  all  Chris- 
tians, w'ho  can  believe  that  Christ  ever  designed 
a state  of  visible  division,  whose  direct  influence 
is,  and  ever  has  been,  to  smother,  and  in  multi- 
tudes of  cases  to  quench  utterly,  that  heavenly 
flame  1 What  father,  designing  and  requiring 
that  his  children  should  love  each  other  as  bro- 
thers and  sisters  should  do,  would  partition 
them  ofi*  into  several  divisions  or  parties ; and 
under  such  circumstances  that  the  different 
groups  would  naturally  see  each  other  but  sel- 
dom, become  almost  strangers  to  each  other, 
have  very  little  conversation  or  correspondence, 
save  su^  as  might  be  controversial,  and  tend 
rather  to  alienation  and  aversion  than  to  harmo- 
ny and'  affection  ? Would  it  not  be  morally 
certain  that  this  father’s  measures  would  fail  to 
bring  to  pass  the  end  in  view  ? Nay,  that  they 
would  be  strikingly  adapted  rather  to  interfere, 
directly  and  fatally,  with  the  fulflllment  of  his 
requirement  ? A wise  and  good  father,  design- 


VISIBLE  UNION  THE  ORIGINAL  DESIGN.  45 

ing  and  enjoining  true  and  ardent  affection  in 
his  children  toward  each  other,  hastens,  on  the 
other  hand,  to  break  up  every  dividing  line  that 
may  have  been  drawn  among  those  children. 
He  carefully  discourages  every  tendency  to  ex- 
clusiveness. He  promptly  checks  all  unpleasant 
disputes,  and  he  is  ever  attracting  to  union,  and 
hushing  to  peace.  But  God  is  infinitely  wiser 
and  better  than  men,  and  it  is  certain  He  who 
requires  mutual  and  perfect  love  of  all  his  sons 
and  daughters,  never  ordered  or  approved  a vis- 
ible division  into  strict  and  oft  opposing  parties, 
one  of  the  directest  means  of  preventing  the 
love  which  he  has  demanded. 

(2.)  Christ  would  exhibit  His  church  as  an 
example  of  holy  affection  and  brotherhood  to  the 
world  of  mankind.  In  this  deeply  important 
aspect,  as  well  as  in  others,  are  Christians  to  be 
the  light  of  the  world,  and  permit  their  light  so 
to  shine  before  the  world  as  that  men  may  see 
their  good  works  and  glorify  their  Father  who 
is  in  heaven.  Nor  need  it  be  asserted  here  that 
the  example  presented  to  the  world,  of  love  and 
union,  is  an  example  of  great  power,  furnishing 
to  multitudes  one  of  the  most  convincing  argu- 
ments for  the  divinity  of  the  Christian  religion. 
If  Christ’s  disciples  shall  compel  all  surround- 
ing- spectators  to  exclaim,  Behold  how  these 
Christians  love  one  another  !”  such  a demonstra- 
tion shall  aid  wonderfully  in  persuading  thou- 


46 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


sands  to  join  the  standard  of  the  cross.  He 
■who  "was  before  an  unbeliever,  coming  in  “is 
comdnced  of  all,  is  judged  of  all ; and  so  falling 
down  on  his  face  he  will  worship  God,  and  re- 
peat that  God  is  in  you  of  a truth.’’  But  alas 
for  the  example  before  an  unbelieving  world,  of 
a divided  church  ! It  is  only  necessary  to  say 
here  that  its  influence  is  the  dreadful  opposite 
of  what  has  just  been  delineated,  and  furnishes 
one  of  the  most  prominent  excuses  of  worldly 
men  for  dispensing  with  all  attention  to  religion. 
Thus  it  comes  to  pass  that,  so  far  as  visible  di- 
•vision  goes,  it  is  darkness  rather  than  light  to 
the  eyes  of  men.  “Is  Christ  divided?”  No; 
never.  Nor  could  He  ever  have  divided  His 
dear  children. 

(3.)  All  Christians  are  to  walk  by  the  same 
rule.  The  same  general  duties  belong  to  the 
whole  body  of  Christ’s  followers.  It  has  been 
seen  above  that  Christians  are  one  in  respect  to 
the  bible.  All  acknowledge  the  same  blessed 
revelation.  And  then,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
bible  speaks  to  every  one.  Christ  spake  to  all, 
as  well  as  prayed  for  all.  The  apostles  speak 
to  all,  and  write  for  no  parties.  Had  Christ 
designed  divisions  in  his  church,  whether  essen- 
tial or  visible,  would  he  not  have  provided  sev- 
eral distinct  rules  ? If  there  be  one  rule,  and 
one  only,  how  could  there  have  been  in  His 
mind  distinct  and  even  opposing  sects  and  par- 


VISIBLE  UNION  THE  ORIGINAL  DESIGN.  47 

ties  1 There  could  obviously  have  been  no  such 
thing.  The  one  hihle  of  Christendom  is  of  itself 
a most  solemn  and  convincing  testimony  against 
the  divisions  of  the  church  of  Christ.  A unity 
itself,  it  calls  to  unity  and  concord,  actual  and 
visible,  all  of  every  nation  that  assume  to  stand 
upon  its  sacred  platform.  That  blessed  book 
rules  the  heart,  and  rules  the  conduct  of  every 
Christian  upon  earth.  It  rules  them  all  alike, 
so  far  as  it  rules  at  all.  But  the  heart  and  the 
conduct  are  the  great  considerations.  Differ- 
ences of  opinion  upon  unessential  matters  are, 
in  the  comparison,  a consideration  not  worthy 
to  be  named,  or  come  into  mind,  from  this  time 
to  the  day  of  judgment.  What,  then,  of  visible 
separations  and  coldness  for  the  sake  of  such 
s differences,  among  the  righteous-  ones  1 Father 
of  heaven  and  earth,  pity  and  forgive  thy  erring 
children ! 

(4.)  All  Christians  are  to  offer  to  God  the 
same  worship,  Where  are  the  two  or  more  lit- 
urgies furnished  for  Christians  by  the  great  and 
glorious  Master?  No  where.  ^^After  this 
manner,  therefore,  pray  ye!’’  Who?  Every 
: disciple  in  every  age,  and  of  every  land.  But 

how  shall  they  pray?  ^^When  ye  pray,  say, 
^Our  Father!’”  Whose  Father?  The  Fa- 
ther of  Presbyterians,  of  the  Episcopalians, 
Baptists,  Methodists  ? Again  we  beseech  thee 
to  pity  us,  good  Lord!  Hallowed  be  thy 


48 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


name  !”  Who  is  to  breathe  that,  and  who  does 
breathe  it  ? A party  1 Thy  kingdom  come !” 
The  kingdom  of  some  great  leader  1 The  do- 
minion of  some  great  theological  captain,  as 
Luther,  Calvin,  Wesley,  Edwards'?  ‘‘  Thy  will 
be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven  !”  As  in 
heaven,  or  as  in  some  carnal  division  on  earth  ? 
‘‘  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread,  forgive  us 
our  trespasses,  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  de- 
liver us  from  evil !”  And  what  is  the  compre- 
hension of  this  little  pronoun  ^^us?”  Includes 
it  a sect^  or  the  disciples  ? 

The  Christian  liturgy  is  one,  and  its  meaning 
is  one ; and  with  direct  reference  to  this  the 
inspired  apostle  prayed  in  behalf  of  the  Chris- 
tians at  Rome,  that  they  might  be  one  and  un- 
divided, saying,  ‘^Now  the  God  of  patience  and 
consolation  grant  you  to  be  likeminded  one  to- 
ward another,  according  to  Christ  Jesus;  that  ye 
may  with  one  mind  and  one  mouth  glorify  God, 
even  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.’’ 

The  church  is  to  worship  with  one  mouth,” 
in  form  according  to  the  word  of  God.  Of 
course,  they  are  to  worship  with  “ one  mind,” 
offering  to  God  the  same  true,  sincere,  and  holy 
worship.  The  chorus  of  the  universal  church, 
from  all  continents  and  islands,  and  every  sea, 
as  it  rolls  up  before  the  throne  of  God,  is  to  be 
of  one  import,  one  spirit,  one  wide  and  glorious 
harmony. 


VISIBLE  UNION  THE  ORIGINAL  DESIGN.  49 

What,  then,  we  ask  again,  of  those  visible 
and  woful  separations,  those  heart  and  open  di- 
visions among  the  true  and  spiritual  worship- 
ers 1 Is  there  an  inspired  and  lofty  anthem  to 
be  sung,  whose  music  shall  sweep  wide  over  this 
spacious  world,  and  from  ten  thousand  times 
ten  thousand  voices  shall  its  loud  strains  rise 
up  to  mingle  with  the  everlasting  harmonies  of 
the  heavenly  world ; and  all  this  from  separate 
and  secluded  groups,  at  distance  from  each 
other,  and  each  hedged  in  by  cold  and  lofty 
walls,  so  that  there  shall  be  no  union  of  the  de- 
licious strains  as  they  ascend  toward  the  throne 
of  God?  Has  He  ordained,  does  He  will  to 
perpetuate,  an  arrangement  like  this  ? Such  a 
question  requires  no  answer. 

(5.)  Glance  at  one  fact  more,  which  of  itself 
seems  to  be  conclusive.  The  church  of  Christ 
is  to  enlighten  and  save  the  world.  That  this 
is  the  great  purpose  and  work  of  the  church, 
will,  I hope  and  believe,  not  be  called  in  ques- 
tion. The  cl^urch  militant  is  to  go  up  on  the 
length  and  breadth  of  this  wicked  world,  and 
under  God,  and  by  the  co-operation  of  His 
power,  subdue  it  to  Christ.  But  how  are  they 
to  do  this  ? Is  the  body  to  separate  itself  into 
established,  stringent,  and  permanent  divisions, 
with  but  the  slightest  mutual  recognition  and 
co-operation  ? With  an  enemy  before  him  of 
fearful  strength,  and  obstinacy,  and  malignity, 


50 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


does  a great  and  skillful  captain  divide  his  army 
into  several  independent  divisions,  and  lead  them 
to  attack  the  foe  ; each  as  though  there  were  no 
other  division,  without  concert,  without  mutual 
support,  and  often  wasting  their  ammunition 
and  strength  in  attacking  each  other,  instead  of 
falling  in  united  and  mighty  force  upon  the 
common  foe  ? No  such  thing  was  ever  heard 
of.  It  is  a complete  absurdity.  The  Captain 
of  salvation,  then,  has  never  ordered  such  an 
army. 

Such  are  some  of  the  considerations  appear- 
ing to  render  it  certain  that  the  present  visible 
separations  in  the  church  of  Christ  are  only 
carnal,  and  have  no  foundation  whatever  in  the 
“ Lord  of  all,’’  His  people,  nor  in  the  spirit  and 
genius  of  His  ever-blessed  gospel.  I know  that 
this  is  an  alarming  conclusion,  and  fraught  with 
the  greatest  consequences,  but  truth  is  mighty, 
and  will  prevail ; and  may  God  in  boundless 
mercy  make  all  his  people  willing  to  see  the 
truth  here  as  well  as  every  where  else ! That 
Satan  hath  blinded  partially  the  eyes  of  many 
disciples,  as  well  as  of  unbelievers,  appears  to 
be  as  certain  as  the  existence  of  church  divi- 
sions ; and  the  sooner  we  are  divested  of  all  ig- 
norance of  his  desires,  the  better  for  the  church 
and  the  world. 


DUTY  OF  CATHOLIC  LOVE. 


51 


SECTION  III. 

DUTY  OF  CATHOLIC  LOVE. 

But  there  are  visible  divisions  in  the  cbnrcb 
of  Christ.  These  divisions  are  grounded  upon 
differences  of  opinion  in  matters  confessedly  non- 
essential.  They  are  matters  of  difference,  then, 
of  a similar  general  character  to  things  in  "VYhich 
persons  of  the  same  denomination  often  differ. 
At  the  same  time  they  agree  in  the  great  sub- 
stantial of  rehgion.  In  the  things  that  ac- 
company salvation’’  there  is  no  real  variance. 
They  are  one  in  Christ  Jesus,”  though  they 
are  divided  on  some  questions  of  prudence  or 
policy.  As  Christians^  they  are  one;  though 
as  men  and  women,  they  are,  in  some  degree, 
variant.  In  heart  they  are  the  same,  albeit  in 
intellect — in  the  province  of  mere  opinion — they 
are  slightly  contrarious.  They  mutually  ac- 
knowledge the  variation  of  opinion,  they  mutu- 
ally acknowledge  the  oneness  in  Christ ; that  is, 
they  recognize  each  other  as  Christians.  In 
other  words,  the  several  evangelical  denomina- 
tions of  Christians  have  a mutual  recognition  of 


52 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


a difference^  and  a mutual  recognition  of  a one- 
ness; while  the  difference^  when  compared  with 
the  oneness^  is  also,  by  mutual  recognition,  not 
worthy  to  be  named  in  the  same  century ! 

Here,  as  I most  solemnly  believe,  I have  put 
the  true  issue.  Something  like  this  (do  I mis- 
take ?)  will  be  the  view  in  far-off  eternity,  and 
long,  long  after  these  little  ones  of  various  com- 
panies shall  have  mingled  in  the  one  and  ever- 
lasting fold  in  heaven.  Oh ! for  a little  of  the 
spiritual  eye-salve,  that  we  may  see  more  clearly 
even  now ! 

I was  about  to  infer  from  what  has  just  been 
written,  that  since,  among  the  evangelical  de- 
nominations, there  is  a mutual  recognition  of 
Christian  standing  and  character,  so,  among  the 
members  of  these  denominations,  ministers  and 
laity,  there  should  he  the  same  brotherly  love 
as  though  the  visible  division  had  no  existence. 

And  here,  again,  I have  to  confess  myself 
ashamed,  ashamed  to  have  written  down,  and 
especially  with  any  view  of  illustrating  it,  so 
palpable  a truth.  An,d  yet  it  would  seem  that 
to  some  it  is  not  an  entirely  self-evident  propo- 
sition, at  least  if  we  may  judge  from  their  gen- 
eral aspect  and  bearing.  With  the  sincerest 
deference,  I submit  the  question  whether  there 
be  not  ministers  and  church  members  not  a 
few,  in  what  are  termed  the  evangelical  sects, 
who  love  the  Christians  of  their  own  denom- 


DUTY  OF  CATHOLIC  LOVE. 


53 


ination  witL.  a more  earnest  love  than  those 
of  any  other  name?  I cannot  doubt  that 
such  is  the  fact,  and  would  beg  of  such  a care- 
ful review  of  some  considerations  like  what 
follow. 

1.  Ministers  and  members  of  the  different 
evangelical  denominations  should  cherish  the 
same  love  for  all  included  in  their  several  folds, 
as  if  the  visible  divisions  had  no  existence,  for 
the  reason  that  they  mutually  recognize  each 
other  as  Christians.  I am  to  love  the  brethren. 
But  yonder  is  one  who  is  not  of  my  denomina- 
tion. True,  he  differs  from  me  in  some  mat- 
ters, but  I think  him  a Christian.  He  bears 
the  image  of  Christ,  he  acts  like  a Christian,  he 
breathes  the  spirit  pf  a disciple.  I am,  then,  to 
love  him  with  the  perfect  brotherly  love  of  the 
gospel.  His  denominational  epithet  or  opinions 
are  to  interfere  with  my  love  not  in  the  smallest 
degree.  So  far  as  my  love  and  fellowship  for 
him  are  concerned,  all  lines  of  separation  are  to 
be  precisely  as  though  they  w^ere  never  thought 
of,  and  never  had  a being.  He  is  a Christian  ! 
My  love  must  ask  no  more,  and  look  no  further. 

2.  This  same  love^  as  if  there  were  no  visible 
divisions,  must  exist,  because,  being  Christians, 
all  that  are  such  are  dear  to  the  heart  of  the 
Saviour.  Let  us  often  ask  ourselves.  What  of 
our  division  lines  relatively  to  the  infinite  love 
of  Jesus  to  his  disciples?  As  He  looks  upon 


54 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


two  of  His  ministers,  or  'two  of  His  unofficial 
members,  placed  in  two  different  human  sects, 
what  of  that  denominational  wall  rising  between 
them  1 We  answer,  it  has  no  recognition  in  his 
heart  of  love.  He  sees  the  partition  indeed ; 
sees  it  with  no  approval ; sees  it  as  of  no  heav- 
enly origin  or  character;  sees  it  as  hay, 
wood,  and  stubble ; sees  it  just  about  to  disap- 
pear forever.  He  loves  those  two ; He  has 
given  them  the  same  upward  aspirations,  the 
same  renewed  nature ; their  names  are  both  writ- 
ten in  heaven,  they  are  alike  in  His  blessed  fold. 
Here,  then,  comes  in  play  the  divine  logic  of  the 
apostle,  as  he  writes,  Beloved,  if  God  so  loved 
us,  we  ought  also  to  love  one  another.”  Christ 
loves  these  two;  then  should  they  also  love  one 
another.  Nay,  if  they  be  truly  born  of  God, 
must  they  not,  and  will  they  not,  mutually  love  1 
For  every  one  that  loveth  Him  that  begat, 
loveth  him  also  that  is  begotten  of  him.”  Alas ! 
shall  any  one  submit  to  forego  this  divine  test 
of  his  own  discipleship'?  Is  not  the  time  at 
hand,  when  among  all  Christians  there  shall  be 
perfect  sympathy  with  that  heavenly  sentiment 
of  Robert  Hall,  one  of^the  most  beautiful  that 
his  pen  ever  wrote,  saying,  The  man  who  is 
good  enough  for  Christ  is  good  enough  for  me  ?” 

3.  This  equal  love,  irrespective  of  denomina- 
tion, should  exist  in  Christian  hearts  for  the 
reason  just  now  hinted,  that  the  sectional  lines 


DUTY  OF  CATHOLIC  LOVE. 


55 


dividing  up  evangelical  cliristendoni  are  facti- 
tious and  carnal.  It  is  not  important  now  to 
specify  their  origin  and  date,  or  by  what  means 
they  have  become  so  much  strengthened,  and  so 
firmly  established.  It  is  quite  sufficient  to  say 
that  Christ  and  his  apostles  had  no  hand  in  their 
creation.  No  such  thing,  as  we  have  before 
seen,  was  ever  countenanced  in  the  original 
church  of  Christ ; and  if,  at  times,  appeared 
any  tendency  to  such  a result,  it  was  promptly 
and  decidedly  discouraged,  while  all  were  ex- 
horted, by  inspired  and  earnest  exhortations,  to 
unity,  harmony,  and  love.  These  separating 
lines  are  but  the  fruit  of  mental  darkness,  re- 
straining Christians  from  seeing  clearly  and  alike 
all  speculative  truths.  That  the  great  Head  of 
the  church  permits  them  is  certain.  That  He 
disapproves  them  is  equally  certain  to  every  eye 
that  has  pondered  the  17th  chapter  of  John,  as 
well  as  the  whole  genius  of  the  gospel.  That 
He  may  bring  good  out  of  them,  as  out  of  a 
thousand  other  evil  things,  we  need  not  ques- 
tion. That  He  will  everlastingly  obliterate 
them,  no  Christian  doubts  for  a moment.  They 
are  human,  and  they  are  carnal.  They  came 
of  the  flesh,  and  not  of  the  spirit.  They  sprung 
from  looking  away  from  Christ  and  leaning  to- 
ward this  world.  Worldly  wisdom,  worldly 
policy,  worldly  taste,  these,  and  such  as  these, 
form  the  hotbed  of  sectional  divisions  among 


56 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


Christ’s  disciples.  They  are  all  earthly:  ^‘For 
while  one  saith  ‘ I am  of  Paul,’  and  another  ‘ I 
am  of  Apollos,’  are  ye  not  carnal,  and  walk  as 
men?”  Let  Christians  lift  up  their  eyes  from 
this  world  and  look  to  Jesus  ; let  them  become 
deeply  baptized  and  pervaded  with  the  spiritual ; 
let  them  be  forever  pressing  near  to  Christ ; 
let  them  forget,  as  all  Christians  should,  the  out- 
ward and  the  transient,  and  let  them  learn  that 
one  profound  lesson,  teaching  us  to  worship  the 
Father  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  and  be  unmoved 
at  aught  beside ; let  Christians  thus  do,  and  all 
divisions  among  these  disciples  will  become  as 
revolting  to  them  as  they  were  to  Paul  and 
John,  and  they  will  come  to  love  each  other  as 
though  sectarian  names  were  never  lisped.  Let 
every  one  be  certain  that  if  he  love  a Christian 
brother  any  the  less  because  he  is  of  another 
sect  than  himself,  every  single  degree  by  which 
his  love  is  thus  diminished  is  carnal,  and  of  car- 
nal origin  ; and  let  him  bethink  himself  that  he 
does  just  so  far  differ  from  his  Lord  and  Saviour, 
whose  perfect  love  takes  no  manner  of  cogni- 
zance of  the  unhappy  distinctions  that  so  fill  the 
eyes  of  thousands  of  poor  purblind  mortals. 

4.  And  ought  not  the  one  common  effort  of 
the  several  evangelical  denominations  of  Chris- 
tians, to  prompt  them  to  that  equal  love  for 
which  we  plead?  To  bring  a lost  world  to 
Christ,  is,  I humbly  trust,  the  common  drift  and 


DUTY  OF  CATHOLIC  LOVE. 


57 


endeavor  of  all  these  families  of  ministers  and 
Christians.  Suppose  the  circumstance  of  their 
vicinity  to  be  wanting.  Imagine  that  the  great 
family  of  the  Presbyterians  and  Congregation- 
alists  were  confined  in  their  operations  to  the 
American  continent ; the  Episcopal  churches  to 
Europe  ; the  Baptists  to  Asia,  and  the  Metho- 
dists to  Africa  and  Polynesia ; and  suppose 
them  to  be  marked  by  the  same  names,  and  the 
same  differences  as  now,  and  all  reaching,  in 
their  respective  provinces,  for  the  evangelization 
of  the  world — would  the  fact  of  difference  of 
denomination  interfere  with  brotherly  love? 
When  the  efforts  of  each  were  directed  to  one 
and  the  same  grand  result,  would  not  a differ- 
ence of  love,  arising  out  of  a difference  of  de- 
nomination, be  seen  at  once  to  be  an  absurdity? 
Would  not  Christian  and  ministerial  affection 
and  sympathy  abound,  and  holy  greetings  be 
often  exchanged,  and  ardent  prayers  for  each 
other’s  success  and  triumph  go  up  daily  to 
heaven  ? But  we  dwell  in  the  same  neighbor- 
hoods, and  mutual  jealousies  are  wont  to  arise, 
and  the  spiritual  to  be  merged  in  the  carnal, 
and  brotherly  love,  alas  ! declines. 

5.  Finally — for  we  can  touch  but  a specimen 
or  two  out  of  the  mass — there  should  be  equal 
love,  as  if  division  lines  had  no  existence,  inas- 
much as  this  will  presently  be  the  actual  condi- 
tion of  things.  In  the  year  1880,  then,  and  for- 


58 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


ever  afterward,  the  present  generation  of  Chris- 
tian ministers  and  disciples  will,  most  of  them, 
be  where  they  will  be  far  more  fully  one  than 
are  the  most  united  and  affectionate  congrega- 
tion of  Christians  now  resident  upon  earth. 
They  will  have  passed  onward  to  a better  life, 
and  a more  luminous  and . peaceful  world,  leav- 
ing behind  them  as  utterly  worthless  all  those 
separating  lines,  and  distinctive  epithets,  and 
sectarian  feelings,  that  were  born  of  the  earth, 
and  are  doomed  to  perish  forever.  There,  in 
that  one  fold,  and  with  their  one  Shepherd,  they 
will  love  and  rejoice  for  ever.  Or,  if  ever  a 
tear  might  fall  there,  it  would  be  in  remem- 
brance of  those  dim  shadows  amid  which,  in 
their  darkness  and  wickedness,  they  once  shut 
themselves  in  from  each  other,  and  preferred  a 
part  of  the  disciples  above  another  part,  and 
almost  forgot  to  love  large  multitudes  whose 
names,  however,  were  written  all  the  while  upon 
the  Saviour’s  heart.  Thus,  even  on  this  earth, 
I have  lighted,  in  some  sweet  day,  upon  a friend, 
and  our  souls  were  at  once  wedded  forever ; 
while  yet  previously  and  often  we  had  looked 
upon  each  other,  and,  perchance,  exchanged  the 
usual  civilities,  but  never  dreamed,  until  that 
brighter  day  shone  over  us,  of  those  deep  foun- 
tains within,  that  were  to  spring  up  so  suddenly 
and  mingle  their  glad  streams  in  everlasting 
union.  And  then  the  wonder  was  long  and 


i UTY  OF  CATHOLIC  LOVE.  59 

often  recurring,  how  our  former  coldness  could 
have  existed,  and  what  was  the  strange  spell 
whose  sudden  breaking  revealed  us  to  each 
other.  A strange^ spell,”  and  very  mournful, 
now  holds  its  sway  over  multitudes  of  Christian 
hearts.  Yet  the  first  outbeaming  of  the  heav- 
enly brightness  shall  dissipate  the  fatal  charm, 
and  then  they  shall  see  clearly,  and  the  harmo- 
^ny  shall  be  beautiful  and  eternal. 

I 


60 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


SECTION  IV. 

STATE  OF  THE  CASE. 

Does  the  catholic  love,  noticed  in  the  last 
section,  actually  and  generally  exist  among  the 
evangelical  churches  of  Christendom  7 The 
negative  of  this  solemn  question  is  doubtless  the 
truth.  But  no  one  should  presume  to  write  so 
melancholy  a statement  without  good  and  suffi- 
cient evidence  of  its  correctness.  What,  then, 
are  some  considerations  evincing  the  want  of 
perfect  iove  in  Christians  for  their  brethren  of 
other  denominations  7 

1.  We  refer  first  to  the  position  of  evangeli- 
cal ministers  of  different  sects  toward  each 
other.  This  is  too  often  a position  of  distance, 
coldness,  and  non-intercourse.  They  probably 
know  each  other,  recognize  each  other  as  men 
and  neighbors,  perhaps  call  upon  each  other 
occasionally,  and  thus  exchange  the  civilities  of 
common  courtesy  and  common  friendship.  It 
is  something  if  they  do  so  much  as  this,  for  the 
instances  are  too  numerous  in  which  there  seems 
to  be  an  almost  utter  want  of  communication. 


STATE  OF  THE  CASE 


61 


There  are  no  pulpit  exchanges,  no  ministerial 
gatherings,  save  such  as  are  denominational ; 
no  cheerful  word  one  to  another ; no  joining  of 
hands  across  the  partition  walls  ; no  friendly 
God-speed  is  given ; no  more  intercourse  is  had 
than  between  the  evangelical  and  the  heretical 
minister.  We  by  no  means  write  this  as  being 
the  universal  attitude  of  the  evangelical  minis- 
try toward  each  other.  But  we  do  write  that 
something  nearly  resembling  this  is  their  atti- 
tude in  multitudes  of  instances,  down  to  the 
present  day.  My  information  does  not  allow 
me  to  state  how  general  is  such  an  order  of 
things.  That  there  are  many  honorable  and 
"beautiful  exceptions  is  most  gladly  conceded. 
That  more  generally  the  mutual  bearing  of  min- 
isters of  dilferent  sects  approaches  the  cold  and 
the  unsocial,  is,  I believS,  the  truth. 

But  if  this  be  so,  what  becomes  of  enlarged 
and  catholic  love  1 If  these  ministers  love  each 
other,  love  each  other  as  servants  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  love  each  other  to  as  great  extent  as 
each  loves  his  own  denomination  of  ministers, 
then  whence  all  this  distance  and  silence  ? Such 
is  not  the  mode  in  which  love  operates.  It  at- 
tracts rather  than  repels  ; it  is  warmth,  and 
not  coldness.  It  comes  forward  to  cheer  and 
gladden,  instead  of  hiding  itself  in  the  distance. 
It  melts  down  intervening  walls,  instead  of  en- 
caging itself  within  them.  The  fruits  of  true 


62 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


catholic  love  being  wanting,  therefore  the  love 
itself  is  so  far  wanting. 

2.  Does  this  equal  love  exist  in  the  member- 
ship of  the  several  evangelical  denominations'? 
Then  why  such  paucity  of  intercourse  between 
the  several  sects '?  Why  are  the  social  gather- 
ings in  society  so  generally  sectarian?  Why 
are  the  lines  of  sect,  in  most  instances,  the  lines 
that  limit  visits,  intercourse,  correspondence, 
and  limit,  in  instances  too  many,  even  sympa- 
thy and  friendship  ? Whence  arises  the  ever- 
living,  the  ever-watchful  jealousy  of  Christians 
of  one  sect  toward  those  of  another  ? Why  are 
doubts  forever  rising  touching  the  sincerity  and 
purity  of  each  other’s  motives,  and  the  benevo- 
lence of  each  other’s  plans  and  operations  ? 
Why  so  slow  to  recognize  the  all-important 
points  of  their ' agreement,  and  so  ready  to 
pounce  upon  the  comparatively  worthless  mat- 
ters of  their  dissent.  Somewhere  in  New  Eng- 
land I have  seen  a Congregationalist  and  a 
Methodist  church  in  the  same  village,  and  each 
embracing  members  of  about  the  same  standing 
in  respect  to  property,  intelligence,  and  influ- 
ence. As  one  contemplated  them,  they  seemed 
not  as  united  allies  against  the  common  foe,  but 
more  like  two  forces  placed  to  watch  each  other, 
and  guard  against  mutual  encroachments. 
Neighbors,  in  that  particular  region,  would  meet 
and  pass  on  their  way,  hardly  seeming  to  recog- 


STATE  OF  THE  CASE. 


63 


nize  each  other.  Ladies,  Christian  ladies,  would 
dwell  in  near  proximity,  and,  during  long  years, 
cross  never  the  threshold  of  each  other’s  doors. 
If  in  one  society  some  plan  were  started  that 
might,  by  possibility,  reach  out  and  touch  the 
other,  and  invite  to  some  approximation  and  co- 
operation, the  opposite  society  was  certain  to 
launch  some  counter  plan,  lest  there  might  be 
found,  perchance,  one  single  link  of  precious 
union  and  alfection.  And  there  those  two  asso- 
ciations stood,  as  stand  two  adjacent  and  sullen 
icebergs,  while  the  Christian  and  brotherly  love 
that  coursed  from  the  one  to  the  other  was  as 
abundant  as  the  mutual  warmth  that  might  be 
supposed  to  attract  those  same  frozen  mountains 
of  the  sea.  We  would  not  adduce  this  as  a 
specimen  of  what  are  the  mere  general  spirit  and 
bearing  of  the  different  sects  of  Christians  rela- 
tively to  each  other.  We  judge  it  an  extreme 
case,  while  yet  we  must  also  write  that  there 
are  multitudes  of  others  exhibiting  a similarity 
far  too  perfect.  And  in  connection  with  such 
examples,  all  pretensions  to  the  brotherly  love 
of  the  gospel  is  worse  than  idle.  There  is 
hatred  rather  than  love,  and  separation  instead 
of  union,  while  the  whole  scene  is  only  disgust- 
ing in  the  eyes  of  infinite  purity  and  goodness. 

3.  We  may  refer,  thirdly,  as  illustrating  the 
deficiency  of  catholic  love  in  the  several  evan- 
gelical denominations,  the  lack  of  deep  interest 


64 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


in  each  other’s  general  operations  and  prosperi- 
ty. How  many  church  members,  or  even  min- 
isters, feel  any  particular  interest  in  religious 
movements  beyond  the  limits  of  their  own  de- 
nomination 7 To  what  extent  do  Christians  ac- 
quaint themselves  with  missionary,  sabbath- 
school,  and  tract  operations  of  the  church  catho- 
lic 7 How  much  interest  is  felt  in  behalf  of 
these  efforts  7 How  much  prayer  is  offered  for 
their  success  7 How  much  intercommunication 
of  sympathy  and  encouragement  is  witnessed  7 
On  the  hypothesis  that  these  several  denomina- 
tions are  all  promoting  the  cause  of  Christ,  what 
intelligent  Christian — ^minister  or  lay  member — 
must  not  be  surprised  at  his  own  want  of  inter- 
est, at  his  great  degree  of  unconcern,  in  respect 
to  what  his  fellow-christians  are  doing  to  save  a 
lost  world  7 And  if  such  apathy  exists,  then 
what  lies  back  of  it  7 Is  it  love  ? Is  it  holy, 
heavenly,  earnest  affection  for  your  brethren  of 
other  names,  that  thus  goes  out  in  indifference 
as  to  what  they  are  doing  for  the  race,  and  as 
to  the  success  of  their  efforts  7 Be  not  deceived ; 
but  be  well  assured  that  the  carelessness  above 
alluded  to  is  equally  an  evidence  of  your  want 
of  true  and  Christian  greatness,  as  of  genuine 
catholic  love. 

4.  I will  only  add  the  tendency  to  contro- 
vexsy  between  the  different  evangelical  denomi- 
nations, as  a further  evidence  of  a want  of  love. 


STATE  OF  THE  CASE. 


65 


Love  tends  to  peace,  and  aims  to  hush  all  need- 
less discords  and  jarrings  to  eternal  silence.  It 
is  another  than  a Christian  spirit  that  delights 
in  controversy.  Such  a spirit  must  sometimes 
submit  to  it ; submit  to  it  where  the  great  law 
of  love  would  seem  to  require  it ; where  great 
and  essential  truth  may  seem  to  be  endangered, 
and  great  and  momentous  error  may  appear  to 
be  coming  in.  But  otherwise  the  catholic  Chris- 
tian will  let  controversy  alone  before  it  be  med- 
dled with.  A work  infinitely  higher  and  better 
is  before  him,  and  he  cannot  pause  to  stoop  or 
trifle.  Alas ! how  much  time  and  talent  have 
been  nearly  wasted  in  profitless  discussions ! 
Did  Christians  of  various  sects  love  like  Chris- 
tians, how  many  matters  now  so  prominent  in 
their  thoughts  and  conversation,  would  sink  to 
their  proper  place,  while  such  Christians  would 
be  diligently  cultivating  that  holy  union  and 
harmony  so  necessary  to  the  salvation  of  a world 
of  sinners. 

Is  it  true,  then,  that  there  is  a deficiency  of 
brotherly  love,  and  of  that  which  reaches  over 
denominational  walls  and  embraces  all  that  love 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ? And  has  it  ever  oc- 
curred to  my  readers  what  a most  melancholy 
phenomenon  this  is  1 Friend ! pause  now,  and 
close,  for  a few  moments,  the  volume  in  your 
hand,  and  retire  within  yourself,  and  look  upon 
that  difference  of  love  which  you  feel  for  those 


66 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


of  your  own  sect  and  those  of  another  sect,  still 
reckoned  by  you  as  evangelical  and  Christian. 
Whence  came  that  difference  of  love  ? Who 
made  it  ? What  would  Paul  think  of  it '?  What 
scripture  approves  it  ? Does  Christ,  the  great 
Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  feel  the  same  difference  1 
Is  the  difference  at  all  carnal  ? Will  you  proba- 
bly cherish  it  on  your  dying  bed  ? Will  it  ever 
live  in  heaven?  Oh  1 what  Christian,  on  finding 
such  a state  of  his  affections,  but  must  be 
startled  and  greatly  alarmed  ! How  must  he  be 
shocked  at  beholding  that  while  he  was  suppos- 
ing himself  to  be  spiritual  he  is  still  carnal,  and 
walks  as  men ! And  will  he  give  sleep  to  his 
eyes,  or  slumber  to  his  eyelids,  till  he  has  ad- 
vanced to  a higher  sphere,  and  breathes  a purer 
atmosphere,  and  gains  a clearer  Hsion,  and  wel- 
comes a deeper  baptism,  and  learns  to  expatiate 
more  freely  and  delightfully  in  the  spiritual,  the 
holy,  the  catholic  life  ? 


DUTY  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 


6T 


SECTION  V. 

DUTY  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 

We  come  now  to  submit  the  proposition  that 
a visible  union  of  all  evangelical  Christians 
throughout  protestant  Christendom  becomes 
their  urgent  and  solemn  duty  before  the  great 
God  in  heaven^  and  before  this  sin-ruined 
world. 

And  having  written  the  above  statement,  I 
will  not  presume  that  I can  present  the  great 
argument  for  its  support  so  appropriately  and 
convincingly  as  it  might  be  given  by  a multitude 
of  better  and  abler  men  ; yet  I could  beg  that 
for  Christ’s  sake,  and  for  the  sake  of  his  most 
precious  cause,  even  this  presentation  may  re- 
ceive the  prayerful  attention  of  the  reader. 

1.  And  it  is  proposed  that  all  we  have  before 
written  is  pertinent  in  proof  of  this  great  duty. 
We  would  refer,  for  example,  to  the  first  fact 
of  this  essay,  the  actual  and  essential  unity  of 
Christ’s  church.  Such  actual  unity  has  been, 
we  think,  sufficiently  illustrated,  and  if  so,  why 
should  it  be  to  so  great  an  extent  kept  in  the 
3 


68 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


dark  ? If  the  Christian  denominations  were  es- 
sentially divided  in  belief,  in  spirit,  in  aim  and 
conduct,  then,  indeed,  a visible  division  would 
have  some  serious  apology.  But  when  the 
points  of  their  agreement,  compared  with  their 
non-agreement,  are  in  number  as  a hundred  to 
one,  and  in  importance  as  the  universe  to  an 
atom,  there  is  no  apology  for  division  such  as 
actually  exists.  To  use  an  old  illustration,  all 
true  Christians  resemble  each  other  spiritually 
and  religiously,  fully  as  much  as  they  do  out- 
wardly and  physically.  There  is  a difference 
in  the  appearance  of  all  men  and  women,  while 
yet  they  are  substantially  alike,  and  indubitably 
of  the  same  race.  So  there  are  distinctive  dif- 
ferences in  different  Christians,  while  essentially 
they  are  the  same  ; they  are  one.  How  im- 
measurably important,  then,  that  this  blessed 
oneness  should  be  manifest ! Oh ! how  deeply 
the  wide  world  needs  to  look  up,  this  moment, 
and  behold  this  actual  unity  ! How  many  souls 
have  perished  already,  how  many  more  are  in 
the  act  of  perishing,  by  the  offence  they  take  at 
the  unhappy  and  false  attitude  of  those  who  are, 
all  the  while,  genuine  Christians  ! We  are  one, 
and  we  persist  in  professing  that  we  are  divid- 
ed. In  our  hearts  we  are  the  same  ; in  our 
aspect  we  are  different,  and  seem  to  a witness- 
ing world  to  have  little  or  no  fellowship.  Will 
not  the  time  come,  and  come  speedily,  when 


1 


DUTY  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 


69 


Christians  shall  consent  to  be  one  in  their  diver- 
sity, and  consent  likewise  that  the  world  shall 
see  this  oneness  1 

2.  We  offer,  as  another  consideration,  the 
second  fact  of  this  essay,  the  original  visible 
unity  of  Christ’s  church.  The  apostolic  church 
was  one  in  the  eyes  of  the  world.  The  true 
church  of  the  nineteenth  century  the  world  does 
not  see  to  be  one,  but  divided.  A calm,  hum- 
ble, spiritual  eye,  discerns  the  real  oneness  that 
still  exists  among  the  people  of  God,  but  a care- 
less and  hostile  world  sees  no  such  thing.  Many 
of  even  serious  and  inquiring  minds  fail  to  de- 
tect it,  and  comparing  the  present  visibly  divided 
church  with  the  original  church  of  Christ,  they 
too  hastily  infer  that  the  two  are  not  of  the 
same  genius  and  fellowship.  Even  aside  from 
the  idea  of  the  great  cloud  of  witnesses”  that 
surrounds  the  church  of  Christ  on  earth,  who 
can  describe  the  deep  pain  and  distress  that  a 
pious  spirit  must  feel  at  the  bare  contemplation 
of  a difference  from  the  apostolic  model.  Let 
us  go  and  read  over  again  the  Acts  of  the  Apos- 
tles, and  the  Epistles  ; and  as  we  read,  let  us 
cry  in  the  midst  of  our  utter  bitterness.  There 
are  the  Christians,  there  is  the  church;  but 
there  are  no  denominations,  and  no  separation 
for  the  sake  of  non-essential  opinions.  The 
prayer  of  Jesus  seemed  answered  there ; and 
whether  at  Jerusalem,  at  Antioch,  at. Philippi, 


70 


CHRISTIAN  UNION, 


at  Corinth,  at  Rome,  or  at  Ephesus,  Christians 
were  one.  The  world  saw  them  one,  persecu- 
tion saw  them  one,  the  ministry  saw  them  one, 
they  all  saw  themselves  to  be  one ; and  all  dis- 
tinctions of  Jew,  Gentile,  Barbarian,  Scythian, 
bond,  free,  were  annihilated  on  earth  as  in 
heaven. 

It  is  certainly  different  now ; Christ’s  little 
ones  are  separate,  like  sheep  of  different  and 
distinct  pastures.  Hearts,  formed  by  the  Spir- 
it’s hand  to  love  and  bless  each  other  in  time, 
as  well  as  forever,  yet  never  mingle  along  these 
mortal  shores.  Their  names  are  different,  and 
perchance  a speculation  or  two  of  theirs  magnify 
themselves  into  a world  between  them,  and  they 
never  see  each  other,  and  their  hands  are  never 
joined,  until  their  mutual  greetings  in  brighter 
worlds.  I mourn  and  make  a noise;  indescriba- 
ble sadness  comes  over  me,  and  my  heart  bursts, 
as  I contemplate  this  picture ; and  my  spirit  in 
its  anguish  cries  out,  When  shall  the  time  of 
joy  return  !”  When  shall  this  giddy,  sinking 
world  behold  once  more  the  oneness  of  God’s 
dear  people  1 

3.  The  third  fact  of  this  essay,  the  duty  of 
catholic  love,  calls  for  a visible  union  among  the 
disciples  of  Christ.  We  cannot,  we  must  not, 
doubt  that  catholic  love,  by  which  I mean  love 
to  all  Christians  as  if  division  did  not  exist,  is 
imperative  upon  the  whole  brotherhood  of  saints. 


DUTY  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 


71 


But  tKe  present  condition  of  division,  and  with 
so  few  holy  ties  connecting  the  several  denomi- 
nations, is  obviously  prejudicial  to  such  love. 
Who,  alas!  does  not  feel  this  to  be  truel 
Where  is  the  Christian  heart  whose  experience 
might  not  record  a sad  tale  of  restricted  love  1 
And  thus,  I fear,  it  must  ever  be  so  long  as 
our  partitions,  and  almost  complete  separations, 
are  permitted  to  continue.  Not  only  the  v/orld 
regards  the  church  as  a plurality ; thousands 
and  thousands  within  its  own  pale  entertain  a 
similar  view ; and  wliile  they  shall  retain  it, 
their  hearts  will  be  affected  correspondingly. 
Who  may  write  all  the  power  of  division  Who 
may  portray  the  mighty  influence  of  the  divided 
position  of  evangelical  Christendom  upon  Chris- 
tians that  have  been  accustomed  to  look  upon  it 
from  their  infancy,  tp  look  upon  nothing  else,  to 
count  their  owm  denomination,  and  that  of  their 
fathers,  as  by  far  the  best  and  truest,  if  not  the 
only  true  church  ? Think  at  how  late  a period 
in  life  these  convictions  and  prejudices  are  worn 
away,  if,  indeed,  they  ever  cease  in  life.  Alas, 
how  many,  this  very  day,  are  straitened  and  sti- 
fled ! With  what  coldness,  with  what  question- 
ings, they  look  over  those  miserable  walls  within) 
which  they  have  been  always  encaged!  How 
start  they  back  if  some  catholic  smile  should!! 
chance  to  meet  them  from  beyond ! Oh ! hows 
isolated  are  they,  like  the  old  sounding-board'^ 


72 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


that  were  suspended  over  the  pulpits  of  a former 
generation  ! Christians  ! in  the  name  of  heav- 
enly charity,  how  long  shall  our  dear  children 
grow  up  under  these  disastrous  influences  1 How 
long  shall  they  drink  in  the  bitterness  of  divi- 
sion, mingled  with  even  the  sweet  draughts  of  in- 
fancy? How  long  shall  their  little  beautiful 
eyes,  as  they  first  look  out  upon  this  wicked 
world,  behold  there  a divided  church  ? How 
long  shall  the  earliest  sounds  that  light  upon 
their  ears  be  notes  of  discord  between  Christians 
that  are  equally  dear  to  Heaven?  Has  the 
reader  forgotten  the  impression  received  amid 
his  first  recollections,  and  perhaps  from  a pious 
parent  too,  against  a certain  denomination  of 
the  Saviour’s  family  ? And  has  he  gone  down 
into  all  the  depths  of  his  heart  and  his  experi- 
ence, that  he  might  compute  accurately  the 
amount  of  deadly  influence  thus  exerted  against 
his  loftiest  excellence  in  influence  and  happi- 
ness? 

4.  After  the  above  remarks,  we  should  be 
guilty  of  tautology  were  we  to  dwell  particularly 
upon  the  fourth  fact  specified  in  this  essay,  the 
fact  of  a painful  want  of  catholic  love  without  a 
visible  unity  of  the  church  of  Christ.  Let  the 
visible  division  of  Christ’s  church  continue,  and 
divisions  of  heart  will  still  continue.  Let  there 
be  visible  oneness,  and  it  will  aid  inconceivably 
to  promote  unity  of  spirit. 


DUTY  OF  VISIBLE  UNION.  73 

5.  The  duty  of  visible  union  among  all  evan- 
gelical Christians  will  he  seen  by  a more  special 
notice  of  the  fact,  that  division  is  a very  com- 
mon pretext  for  infidelity.  What  Christian,  es- 
pecially what  ministei^^  has  not  discerned  this 
painful  fact  in  the  course  of  his  religious  con- 
versations? Irreligious  men  will  not,  ordina- 
rily, give  themselves  the  trouble  to  study  care- 
fully and  profoundly  this  great  subject.  They 
turn  their  eyes  upon  the  churches.  They  be- 
hold them  divided  into  parties,  having  little  or 
no  sympathy  or  religious  intercourse,  and  often 
opposing  each  other,  and  speaking  evil  one  of 
another ; and  noticing  thus  but  little  beyond 
what  is  earthly  and  selfish,  they  easily  and  read- 
ily infer  that  the  whole  thing  is  a fable,  and  had 
its  origin  elsewhere  than  in  the  mind  of  God. 
‘‘  Would  God,”  they  inquire,  be  the  author 
of  division  and  contention?  But  division  and 
contention  are  the  order  of  the  day  among  pro- 
fessing Christians.  Their  Christianity,  therefore, 
like  other  religious  systems,  is  born  of  this 
world,  and  is  of  no  superhuman  character  or 
authority.”  Logic  like  this,  fallacious  as  it 
certainly  is,  yet  harmonizing  with  the  evil  ten- 
dencies of  man,  is  welcomed  as  genuine  and  con- 
clusive, and  the  mind  and  heart  are  yielded  up 
to  the  baleful  influence  of  skepticism.  What  a 
pity  that  they  were  ever  permitted  to  look  upon 
Such  an  aspect  of  the  church  of  Christ.  Would 


74 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


they  might  ever,  as  they  contemplated  this 
church,  have  been  compelled  to  see  its  oneness, 
its  harmony,  its  beauty,  and  constrained,  as 
they  looked,  to  exclaim  in  their  wonder,  Be- 
hold how  these  Christians  love  one  another 
Thus  would  their  infidelity  have  been' well-nigh 
impossible.  They  would  have  witnessed  a spec- 
tacle of  loveliness  and  of  happiness  such  as  the 
world  cannot  give,  and  they  would  have  pro- 
nounced it,  though  reluctantly,  to  be  not  of  this 
world.  The  sublime  language  of  the  Saviour’s 
prayer  would  have  been  realized ; they  would 
have  discerned  the  oneness  of  the  disciples,  and 
would  thus  have  known  that  the  Master  came 
from  God. 

6.  A kindred  consideration  to  the  foregoing 
is,  that  visible  division  among  the  Christians  of 
protestant  Christendom  constitutes  one  of  the 
strong  supports  of  anti- Christian  Rome.  Every 
one  knows  that  Romanism  embraces  division  as 
truly  as  protestantism,  and  that  contentions 
have,  from  time  to  time,  arisen  in  that  commu- 
nion, far  more  furious  and  wicked  than  what 
have  ever  disgraced  the  reformed  church.  At 
the  same  time  they  boast  of  their  unity,  and  pro- 
claim, at  the  top  of  their  voice,  the  divisions  of 
anti-papal  Christendom.  Not  a few  are  deceived 
by  this  very  means.  They  rightly  suppose  that 
the  church  of  Christ  is  one.  Looking  at  prot- 
estantism, they  seem  to  see  division  3 while 


DUTY  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 


75 


looking  at  popery,  they  seem  to  see  unity; 
and  thence  infer  that  there  is  the  true  church. 

7.  A visible  as  well  as  actual  union  of  evan- 
gelical Christians  is  necessary  in  order  to  the 
counteraction  of  Romanism  in  this  land,  and 
throughout  the  world.  All  Christians  are  aware, 
or  ought  to  be,  of  the  mighty  effort  of  popery  to 
overspread  and  subjugate  the  nations.  Nor  do 
protestant  Christians  doubt  that  such  a triumph 
of  Romanism  would  be  the  death  of  true  religion 
on  earth,  and  but  a slight  degree  to  be  preferred 
to  the  “ abominable  idolatries”  of  paganism. 
To  resist  this  “ man  of  sin”  is  to  be  one  of  the 
great  conflicts  of  the  true  disciples.  Here  will  be 
waged  one  of  the  severest  battles  of  the  church 
militant ; and  the  struggle  rapidly  apprbaches — 
yea,  is  already  commenced.  It  is  no  time  for 
divisions  and  strifes  among  the  ranks  of  the 
"heavenly  soldiery.  Together  should  they  stand 
— one  vast  and  united  force — and,  ceasing  all 
petty  animosities  and  words  of  thriftless  contro- 
versy, advance,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  against  the 
common  adversary.  Alas,  how  trivial,  how  con- 
temptible appears,  in  the  face  of  this  great  ef- 
fort, all  party  movements  and  party  words ! 
While  men  sleep,  the  enemy  is  sowing.  While 
Christians  and  Christian  ministers  are  contend- 
ing for  sect,  the  great  cause  of  true  religion  is 
jeopardized.  Protestant  Christians  have  a great 
common  cause.  They  have  a common  defence 


76 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


to  make ; a common  aggressive  effort  to  put 
forth.  A common  curse  is  resting  upon  them ; 
a common  fate  awaits  them,  whenever  the  papa- 
cy shall  again  triumph  over  an  oppressed  and 
bleeding  world.  If,  in  any  mind,  a doubt  re- 
mains that  the  tyrannical,  persecuting,  bloody 
spirit  of  the  papacy  is  changed  in  these  modern 
times,  let  such  a mind  remember  the  Portuguese 
exiles  recently  driven  from  Madeira,  and  then 
let  him  never  doubt  again.  The  God  of  provi- 
dence has  permitted  that  one  more  demonstra- 
tion of  the  spirit  of  Romanism,  to  convince  all 
protestants  what  they  have  to  expect  in  the 
event  of  its  prevalence  and  triumph.  And 
what  are  to  be  the  eternal  results  of  such  a tri- 
umph ? Does  the  papal  religion  save  the  souls 
of  men?  We  will  not  doubt  that  Christians  are 
there.  Yet  are  they  Christians  in  spite  of  po- 
pery, rather  than  because  of  it.  A strange  and 
astounding  development,  indeed,  is  Christianity, 
if  it  be  popery  ! Look  at  its  history.  Look  at 
its  worship  on  a Sabbath  day.  Look  at  its  cer- 
emonies, its  mummeries.  Look  at  its  traditions, 
and  miracles,  and  relics,  and  saints,  and  pro- 
cessions, and  masses,  and  confessionals,  and 
anathemas,  and  burnings,  and  blood!  Yet  this 
is  the  religion — rather,  this  is  the  abomination — 
that  is  reaching  to  grasp  the  world,  and  reduce 
it  under  its  dark  and  iron  sway,  compassing  sea 
and  land  to  make  proselytes — and  again  we  ask, 


DUTY  OF  VISIBLE  UNION.  Y7 

What  are  the  results  ? Survey  Roman  Catholic 
Europe.  Contemplate  Italy — poor  and  crushed 
Italy.  Contemplate  degraded  Spain  ; benighted 
and  cruel  Austria;  unstable  France.  Look  at 
Mexico  and  South  America,  and  wherever  this 
dread  incubus  settles  down  upon  men.  There 
is  almost  no  light  wherever  it  comes.  The  peo- 
ple are  not  saved.  Superstition,  though  in  an- 
other form,  still  triumphs.  ' Darkness  as  truly 
as  ever,  covers  the  earth,  and  gross  darkness  the 
people.  Religion  is  caricatured,  mocked,  in- 
sulted. This  is  not  Christ  ! If  it  be,  then  let 
the  world  sit  down  and  weep  in  long  despair ; 
for  the  sun  of  its  joy  and  hope  is  set  forever. 
The  damps  of  endless  night  seem  already  clos- 
ing over  us  ; and  there  is  no  salvation.  A more 
stupendous  and  amazing  contrast  could  not  be 
conceived  than  between  popery  and  the  New 
Testament.  But  the  New  Testament  is  Christ. 
Popery,  then,  is  anti-christ ; and  the  great  Head 
of  the  church  calls  upon  all  his  people,  of  what- 
ever name,  to  combine  for  its  overthrow,  in  or- 
der that  thus  may  be  removed  the  greatest  ob- 
stacle on  earth  to  the  progress  of  his  glorious 
kingdom. 

8.  Then,  further,  a visible  union  is  necessary 
for  the  successful  counteraction  of  all  other  anti- 
christian  efforts  and  influences.  There  is  not 
one  of  these  but  should  look  up  and  behold  pit- 
ted against  it,  a holy  and  united  Christianity, 


78 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


A corrupt  and  debasing  literature  ; corrupt  and 
debasing  amusements ; hateful  and  ruinous  li- 
centiousness ; audacious  and  heathen  Sabbath- 
brealang ; guilty  and  vile  intemperance ; pre- 
posterous and  abominable  slavery;  diabolical 
and  horrid  war ; together  with  the  wdld  spirit 
of  sheer  and  naked  worldliness — each  and  all  of 
these  dismal  things  demand,  for  their  strong,  ir- 
resistible, and  successful  opposition,  a united 
and  holy  church,  presenting  before  them  ever  an 
unbroken  front,  and  pouring  against  them  a per- 
petual and  deadly  ruin  with  weapons  mighty 
through  God,”  and  drawn  from  the  celestial  ar- 
mory. Amid  these  multifarious  and  hideous 
strongholds  of  Satan,  erected  all  along  this  poor, 
sin-stricken  world,  what,  oh,  what  have  God’s 
people  to  do  with  divisions  among  themselves  ? 
What  have  they  to  do  with  internal  wars,  and 
mutual  strifes,  and  bloodshed  ? Away  with 
such  a thing  from  the  face  of  the  earth  ! Cursed 
be  the  spirit  of  strife  and  sectism  wherever  it 
prevails  amid  the  ranks  of  God’s  Israel ! There 
is  other  work : a divine  struggle,  a more  heav- 
enly warfare. 

9.  Thus  are  we  reminded  to  add,  that  a visi- 
ble union  of  all  Christians  is  demanded  for  the 
spread  of  true  religion  through  the  world.  Two 
facts  appear  to  be  plain:  1.  That  the  gnspel 
should  speedily  be  carried  to  all  nations ; and, 
2.  That  protestant  Christians  must  be  the  hu- 


DUTY  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 


79 


man  instrumentality  concerned  in  tins  vast  en- 
terprise. A world-wide  diffusion  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ  should  he  always  in  the  eye  of  Chris- 
tians. Their  Lord  and  Saviour  died  for  the 
world.  His  blessed  salvation  belongs  to  the 
world.  It  has  been  directed  to  be  carried  to  all 
nations.  The  grace  of  our  Lord.  Jesus  Christ 
would  as  effectually  heal  and  save  all  the  mil-' 
lions  of  the  human  race,  as  a single  individual. 
So  stands  this  great  case.  Salvation  is  for  all. 
The  proclamation  thereof  is  commanded  by 
Christ,  to  be  made  to  all.  It  is  directed  to  be 
made  by  those  who  have  themselves  been  made 
partakers  of  the  heavenly  gift.  But  protestant 
Christians  are  these  partakers,  if  there  be  any 
such  upon  earth.  On  these,  therefore,  devolves 
this  sublime  responsibility.  To  these  the  Sa- 
viour of  the  world  saith,  Go  ye  into  ail  the 
world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature.’^ 
But  how  shall  protestant  Christians  carry  for- 
ward this  great  work,  save  by.  a holy  union  and 
co-operation  I Oh!  what  shall  jarring  sects, 
with  all  their  unhallowed  sectarianism,  do  for 
the  regeneration  and  eternal  life  of  the  world  % 
Wasting  our  lives  in  promoting  divisions  and 
bitterness,  how  shall  we  go  forward  to  rescue  a 
lost  world  from  eternal  death  1 The  truth  is, 
no  Christian  minister  or  lay  member  has  one 
moment  to  spare  for  any  thing  but  for  the  glory 
of  God,  and  the  salvation  of  men.  Each  one 


80 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


should  greet,  as  angels  of  mercy,  all  others,  of 
whatever  name,  that  are  laboring  to  save  the 
‘ world.  The  hearts  of  all  the  disciples  should 
mingle  into  one,  in  view  of  the  work  that  lies 
before  them.  And  they  should  be  so  mingled, 
too,  that  their  union  and  harmony  shall  be 
known  and  read  of  all  men.  Sleep,  sleep,  all 
needless  controversy ! Be  hushed,  every  vain 
babbling,  every  carnal  jarring,  every  noise  of 
battles,”  and  whisper  of  bitterness,  throughout 
all  the  ranks  of  the  spiritual  Israel ! A world 
is  to  be  saved  from  remediless  ruin.  Arise,  as 
one  man,  and  fly  to  the  rescue ! 

10.  Especially  arise  as  one,  when  the  present 
interesting  state  of  the  world  so  emphatically 
calls  to  unity.  It  becomes  all  Christians  to 
meditate  how  wonderfully  the  God  of  providence 
is  opening  great  and  effectual  doors”  for  the 
ingress  of  holy  and  saving  influences.  Millions 
on  millions  of  Roman  Catholic  Europe  are  now 
accessible  to  the  efforts  of  a pure  Christianity, 
that  have,  for  ages,  been  shut  up  to  error  and 
darkness.  Millions  on  millions  of  heathens  are 
also  accessible  to  evangelization,  that  have  here- 
tofore been  hidden  behind  impenetrable  barriers. 
Thousands  of  laborers,  could  they  be  found  and 
sustained,  may  now  be  employed  in  the  great 
work  of  evangelizing  and  saving  the  world ; 
while  a wider  field  is  laid  open  for  Christian  ef- 
fort than  was  ever  known  before.  If  the  move- 


DUTY  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 


81 


merits  of  Providence,  in  thus  opening  the  world 
to  the  march  of  the  gospel,  be  any  indication  of 
the  duty  of  Christians,  then  should  the  fifteen 
hundred  missionaries  now  sent  forth  by  protes- 
tant  Christendom  be  at  once  increased  ten-fold. 
Oh  ! how,  at  this  moment,  should  the  united 
energies  of  Christians  go  out  to  occupy  and  bless 
the  nations  ! What  a rallying  there  should  be 
to  disseminate  the  bible  and  Christian  books 
through  papal  Europe,  and  to  carry  the  light  of 
life  amid  the  crowded  ranks  of  paganism,  and 
of  the  false  prophet ! Deep  should  call  unto 
deep  in  regard  to  this  great  interest  of  the  hu- 
man race,  and  for  the  consummation  of  which 
the  whole  created  earth  groaneth  and  heaveth 
in  pain,  together  until  now.  Let  protestant 
Christendom  unite,  let  us  unite  firmly,  and  for 
the  day  of  judgment,  and  the  evening  of  the 
nineteenth  century  shall  witness  the  gospel  ex- 
tending itself  to  every  nation  under  heaven. 

11.  Finally,  a most  conclusive  reason  for  a 
visible  union  of  Christians  is  seen  in  the  oft-re- 
peated language  of  the  Saviour’s  intercessory 
prayer  (John  xvii.  20,  21)  ; and  though,  in  this 
argument,  allusion  has  already  been  made  to‘ 
the  point  before  us,  yet  I cannot  consent  to  pass 
it  without  a more  special  notice.  In  this  re- 
markable passage  Christ  thus  prays  to  the 
Father:  ‘^Neither  pray  I for  these  alone,  but 
for  them  also  which  shall  believe  on  me  through 


82 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


their  word,  that  they  all  may  be  one,  as  thou. 
Father,  art  in  me,  and  I in  thee,  that  they  also 
may  be  one  in  us,  that  the  world  may  believe 
that  thou  hast  sent  me.’’ 

Here  Christ  prays  for  the  oneness  of  his  dis- 
ciples. The  oneness  for  which  he  prayed  was 
an  essential  oneness,  for  it  was  the  oneness  of 
the  Father  and  the  Son.  But  the  oneness  sought 
was  also  a visible  oneness ; for  it  was  to  be  a 
spectacle  to  the  world,  as  is  obvious  from  that 
most  important  object  specified  in  the  prayer, 
namely,  that  the  world  may  believe  that  thou 
hast  sent  me  /”  Here  is  implied  that  momen- 
tous fact  already  noticed,  that  visible  divisions 
of  the  church  of  Christ  are  a source  of  infidelity ; 
and  there  is  implied  the  necessity  of  a visible 
oneness,  in  order  that  the  world  may  be  con- 
vinced of  the  divinity  of  the  Christian  religion. 
Here  rises,  then,  a great  and  inspired  argument 
for  a visible  oneness  of  all  who  love  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  They  all  should  be  one  ; they  all 
should  he  seen  to  be  one.  Their  oneness  should 
be  conspicuous  as  the  sun  rolling  in  a cloudless 
sky ; and  for  what  important  purpose  ? This 
simply  : that  the  world  may  believe  that  Christ, 
and,  of  course.  His  religion,  are  divine. 

Take,  therefore,  one  solemn  look  through  this 
glass,  ye  Christians,  and  see,  without  a mistake, 
see  with  infallible  certainty,  why  multitudes 
scout  your  religion,  and  your  Lord.  . Look 


DUTY  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 


83 


thoughtfully  here,  and  you  may  see,  if  you  please 
to  see,  what  you  must  do,  would  you  'convince 
the  world  of  the  divine  origin  and  real  glory  of 
Christianity.  Ye  must  be  one  ; not  essentially 
only — ye  must  show  it — declare  it — act  it.  I 
will  not  affirm  that  ye  may  not  wear  different 
denominational  epithets,  though  these  are  all  of 
earth.  But  I will  say,  that  your  oneness  in 
Christ  must  be  as  obvious  as  your  oneness  of 
race ; that  ye  are  to  esteem  your  differences  as 
ye  esteem  your  variations  of  profile,  or  stature, 
or  tinge,  or  physical  strength.  The  world  must 
not  doubt  that  ye  are  one  common  band  of 
Christians,  loving  each  other,  loving  the  race, 
and  earnest  for  the  everlasting  life  of  all  men. 

In  this  aspect  of  our  subject,  what  a solemn 
reckoning,  alas ! will  they  meet,  at  the  judgment, 
whose  influence  in  the  world  was  to  keep  asun- 
der those  who  should  have  walked,  arm  in  arm, 
to  heaven ! “ It  is  impossible  but  that  offences 

will  come  ; but  wo  unto  him  through  whom  they 
come.  It  were  better  for  him  that  a millstone 
were  hanged  about  his  neck,  and  he  cast  into 
the  sea,  than  that  he  should  offend  one  of  these 
little  ones.’’ 


84 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


SECTION  VI. 

DENOMINATIONS. 

Inasmuch  as  protestant  Christendom  is  not 
visibly  one,  but  is  divided  into  various  denomi- 
nations or  families,  this  appears  to  be  the  place 
for  a brief  and  candid  notice  of  this  position  of 
things,  and  especially  with  reference  to  true 
catholic  union  and  fellowship.  It  is  quite  un- 
necessary to  remind  the  reader  that  divisions 
founded  upon  differences  of  speculative  opinions 
did  not  commence  with  protestantism,  but  may 
be  traced  up  to  the  early  ages  of  the  church. 
Nor  were  the  divisions  among  the  reformers  at 
all  referable  to  any  sin  of  theirs  in  departing 
from  the  papal  communion.  The  boasted  one- 
ness of  the  papacy,  so  far  as  any  real  oneness 
was  there,  was  but  a combination  whose  founda- 
tion and  cement  was  worldly  despotism  and  spir- 
itual darkness,  and  was  far  more  kindred  to  op- 
pression and  wrong  than  to  true  Christian  union. 
An  evil  and  mighty  hand  had  long  been  laid 
upon  Christendom,  and  individuals  and  nations 
were  crushed  at  the  feet  of  the  pope,  rather  than 


DENOMINATIONS. 


85 


united  to  each  other  and  to  Christ  in  holy  love 
and  communion.  The  divisions,  therefore,  that 
presently  arose  in  the  progress  of  the  reforma- 
tion, proved  not  at  all  that  the  said  reformation 
was  heretical,  and  the  papacy  was  orthodox. 
There  is  such  a thing  as  the  oneness,  the  com- 
mon stillness,  as  well  as  the  common  loath- 
someness, of  the  dead  in  their  charnel-houses. 
And  there  is  such  a thing  as  the  stragglings,  and 
partial  differences,  and  alienations  of  childhood’s 
beginning  life,  albeit  its  very  contentions  and 
opposing  words  themselves  evince  that  there  is 
life.  The  profound  student  of  God  and  of  hu- 
man nature  will  be  disposed  to  wonder,  not  that, 
under  the  circumstances,  Luther,  and  Zuingle, 
and  Calvin  differed  so  much,  but  rather  that 
their  harmony  was  so  great.  Yet  differ,  we 
know  they  did ; while  their  differences  have,  to 
a greater  or  less  extent,  been  perpetuated  to  the 
present  day,  as  embodied  in  the  Lutheran  and 
Reformed  communions  of  continental  Europe. 
Simultaneously  with  the  reformation,  the  En- 
glish church  also  became  separated  from  the  pa- 
pacy ; and  in  its  new  organization,  this,  as  well 
as  the  church  of  Scotland,  received,  as  their 
basis,  the  reformed  doctrines.  From  the  church 
of  England  especially,  non-conformity  early  gave 
rise  to  large  secessions,  out  of  which  arose  the 
Independents  of  England  and  Holland,  the  En- 
glish Baptists,  and  English  Presbyterians . From 


86 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


the  Presbyterians  of  England  and  Scotland,  the 
same  denomination,  including  its  several  classes, 
exists  in  this  country.  So  of  the  Baptists ; 
while  the  Independents  of  the  other  side  of  the 
Atlantic  became  the  Congregationalists  of  New 
England.  In  the  next  century  the  Methodists 
appeared,  and  in  a few  years  are  seen  spreading 
themselves  in  the  United  Kingdom,  and  the  new 
world ; while  the  Episcopalians  of  this  country 
are  to  be  deemed,  as  a denomination,  identical 
with  the  church  of  England. 

Thus  there  arises  before  us  what  may  be 
termed  the  great  denominations  of  evangelical 
Christendom.  There  are  the  Reformed  and  Lu- 
theran churches  of  continental  Europe ; the 
Episcopalians,  Presbyterians,  Congregational- 
ists, Baptists,  and  Methodists  of  Great  Britain 
and  the  United  States.  Disregarding  the  high 
episcopal  claims,  and  recognizing  all  of  these  as 
churches  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  or  as  differ- 
ent branches  of  His  one  church,  what  does  Chris- 
tian union  require  of  them!  Does  it  require 
the  amalgamation  of  all  these  denominations  into 
one  organization,  or  does  it  demand  merely  a 
oneness  of  spirit,  a mutual  love  and  fellowship, 
accompanied  by  such  manifestations  as  to  be 
known  and  read  of  all  men  I The  position,  that 
holy  and  catholic  union  requires  the  amalgama- 
tion of  all  the  existing  denominations,  must  be 
confessed  to  lie  open  to  some  serious  objections. 


DENOMINATIONS. 


87 


It  will  be  borne  in  mind,  that  the  real  issue  is 
not  what,  in  the  abstract,  is  the  only  and  proper 
external  arrangement  of  the  church,  but  what  is 
truth  and  propriety  under  the  circumstances 
which  actually  exist.  It  is  possible  that  a re- 
publican form  of  government,  such  as  ours,  is 
the  true  form,  while,  even  were  it  known  to  be 
so,  such  a fact  would  not  be  admitted  to  settle 
the  question,  that  Great  Britain  should  at  once 
abolish  her  limited  monarchy,  and  become  a re- 
public. Similar  remarks,  we  think,  may  be  true 
of  the  several  existing  ecclesiastical  establish- 
ments included  in  evangelical  Christendom.  In 
answer  to  the  suggestion  that  all  the  evangelical 
denominations  should  be  amalgamated  into  one, 
it  seems  sufficient  to  submit  that  such  an  organi- 
zation is  impracticable.  The  distinction  of 
opinions  on  which  the  several  organizations  are 
founded,  are  honestly  and  conscientiously  cher- 
ished by  the  differing  portions.  The  Presbyte- 
rian and  Congregationalist,  for  example,  each 
entertains,  in  good  faith,  a conscientious  prefer- 
ence for.  his  pwn  ecclesiastical  regimen.  The 
Methodist  most  honestly  believes  that  an  itin- 
erant ministry  is  more  scriptural  and  useful  than 
a ministry  wholly  settled  and  stationary.  The 
Baptist  very  conscientiously  believes  that  im- 
mersion is  the  only  scriptural  mode  of  baptism, 
and  that  penitent  adults  are  the  only  proper 
subjects.  The  Episcopalian  as  fully  believes 


88 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


that  the  regular  episcopal  succession  is  indis- 
pensable to  a completely  valid  ministr3\  Thus 
there  are  differences,  differences  not  in  respect 
to  essential  truths,  while  yet  they  are  actual  and 
decided  differences,  and  leading,  necessarily,  to 
variation  of  practice,  and  such  variations  as, 
were  they  supposed  to  exist  in  one  and  the  same 
denomination,  must  result  in  perpetual  friction 
and  discord. 

Such  appears  to  be  a brief  presentment  of 
this  matter ; and  such  a presentment  is  suffi- 
cient. There  are  conscientious  differences  in 
matters  about  which  men  may  differ,  and  yet  be 
Christians,  wffiile,  yet,  each  party  deems  its  own 
views  too  important  to  be  given  up ; and  as 
each  is  sincere,  so  each  feels  bound  to  that  line 
of  action  accordant  with  the'  particular  theory 
thus  honestly  and  conscientiously  entertained. 
The  phenomena  of  different  denominations  ap- 
pears to  grow  naturally,  if  not  necessarily,  from 
freedom  of  thought  and  judgment,  combined  with 
that  imperfection  of  mind  and  heart  which  is  a 
common  attribute  of  fallen  humanity.  There 
are  wo  positions,  direct  opposites,  where  such 
a phenomenon  w'ould  not  appear.  The  first  is, 
that  of  despotism  and  darkness,  thought  being 
trammeled  and  light  being  forbidden.  Such  is 
the  oneness  of  popery.  The  second  is  a position 
of  perfect  freedom,  and  perfect  light,  and  per- 
fect love.  Such  is  the  oneness  of  the  heavenly 


DENOMINATIONS. 


89 


world,  where  the  disciples  shall  be  one  in  mind 
and  heart  both,  and  there  shall  he  naught  to 
hurt  or  destroy.  Protestant  Christendom  ap- 
pears to  occupy  an  intermediate  position.  There 
is  love,  much  love ; there  is  light,  much  light — 
and  freedom  to  see  it,  and  mind  and  judgment 
to  comprehend  and  apply  it.  But  all  these  great 
and  essential  elements  are  imperfect  here. 
Neither  love,  nor  light,  nor  freedom,  nor  intel- 
lect, is  what  it  will  be  when  we  shall  he  like 
Jesus,  and  see  Him  as  He  is. 

From  considerations  like  these,  therefore,  it 
is  difficult  to  see  that  Christian  union  calls  for 
an  immediate  merging  of  all  the  evangelical  de- 
nominations of  Christians  into  a single  organiza- 
tion. The  plurality  of  denominations  consti- 
tutes, of  itself,  no  proof  whatever  of  separation 
from  the  true  church  of  Christ,  but  a manifesta- 
tion, rather,  of  the  imperfection  above  alluded 
to.  The  question,  then,  returns.  Does  Christian 
union  require  merely  a oneness  of  spirit,  a mu- 
tual love  and  fellowship,  and  accompanied  by 
such  manifestation,  or  confession,  as  to  render 
such  oneness  notorious  1 This  is,  very  proba- 
bly, the  truth.  This  is  the  species  of  union 
' which  our  glorious  gospel  demands,  and  which 
the  Christian  world  is  competent  to  possess  and 
exemplify;  and  that,  too,  without  affecting,  ex- 
cept for  good,  their  own  specific  denominations. 
If  we  mistake  not,  Christians  may,  under  the 


90 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


circumstances,  innocently  act  in  different 
branches  of  the  Saviour’s  family ; but  they  are 
to  be  one  in  spirit,  intimately  united  in  holy  and 
heavenly  fellowship,  and  ever  contemplating  each 
other  as  fellow-citizens  with  the  saints,  and  of 
the  household  of  faith.  True  Christian  union  is 
not  so  much  a union  of  denominations  ; it  is, 
rather,  a union  of  Christians  ; a union  of  indi- 
vidual hearts.  A union  of  denominations,  irre- 
spective of  a union  of  spirit,  w'ould  not  be  Chris- 
tian union ; while,  on  the  contrary,  a union  of  spir- 
it, irrespective  of  denominations,  would  infallibly 
be  Christian  union.  Christians,  and  Christian 
ministers,  must,  in  good  faith,  approach  each 
other.  Being  Christians,  and  judging  each  oth- 
er to  be  Christians,  they  are  no  more  to  permit 
their  speculative  differences  to  keep  them  apart, 
than  they  would  permit  their  varieties  of  coim- 
tenance,  or  difference  of  the  names  by  which 
they  were  christened,  to  exert  such  an  influence. 
They  cannot,  in  this  imperfect  world,  be  one  in 
speculative  view ; but  they  can  be  one  in  heart, 
one  in  love,  and  in  fellowship. 

Thus  does  it  plainly  appear,  that  this  great 
matter  of  Christian  union  must  be  a matter,  not 
so  much  of  communities,  of  companies,  of  de- 
nominations ; it  must  be  eminently  a matter  of 
the  Christian,  The  disciple  who  is  now  reading 
these  words,  must,  in  his  own  individual  spirit, 
fly  to  mingle  in  holy  love  with  all  other  disci- 


DENOMINATIONS. 


91 


pies,  and  as  forgetful,  if  possible,  of  denomina- 
tions as  if  divers  names  had  never  found  their 
way  into  the  one  church  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 
Nor  must  such  a disciple  wait.  He  is  not  to 
tarry  an  hour  for  others  to  move  with  him  ; just 
as  he  should  not  have  lingered  a moment  in  the 
matter  of  his  souPs  conversion.  He  may  invite 
others  to  the  same  position  with  himself.  Nay,  he 
should  do  so,  and  with  all  affectionate  and  urgent 
entreaty.  But  in  that  very  day  he  thus  invites,  he 
will  hear  divers  objections  upon  the  right,  and  cold 
suspicions  upon  the  left.  He  will  stand  amazed 
at  his  own  familiar  and  dear  brethren.  His  heart 
will  ache,  and,  perhaps,  more  and  more,  as  he 
looks  upon  the  sad  alienations  of  hearts  that 
should  be  one  in  Christ  Jesus.  But  he  must  at 
once  write  all  this  alienation,  this  heart  division, 
in  the  Christian  family,  as  being  carnal.  It  is 
a spirit  of  evil,  that  must  not  at  all  dampen  the 
glowing  affection  and  fellowship  of  his  own  soul. 
He  must  persist  in  numbering  himself  with  the 
great  church  catholic,  in  preference  to  any  sect 
or  party  among  men. 

Be  this,  then,  well  understood : the  individ- 
ual must  move  ! This  alone  is  practicable ; 
this  alone  will  accomplish  the  mighty  work. 
Christ  no  where  requires  an  absolute  oneness  of 
view  and  opinion  ; while  some  difference  of  view 
will  inevitably  lead  to  some  difference  of  exter- 
nal arrangements  and  economy.  So  far,  just  so 


92 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


far,  there  is  innocence.  Child ! go  no  farther. 
You  may  worship  in  another  house  than  where 
some  of  your  brethren  meet ; you  may  worship 
in  a mode  somewhat  different  from  theirs ; you 
may  wait  upon  God’s  ordinances  and  sacraments 
with  some  difference  of  outward  form  ; your  con- 
victions or  your  taste,  in  these  minor  matters,  v 
you  may  innocently  indulge.  But  pause  there. 
Be  thy  heart,  thy  soul,  thy  spirit,  one  with  ev- 
ery  pilgrim,  wheresoever  he  is  toiling  up  the  path 
of  life.  Move  toward  him.  Forget  all,  save 
that  himself  and  you  belong  to  the  same  Saviour, 
have  one  spirit  and  work,  and  are  hastening 
homeward  to  the  same  eternal  heaven.  Wait 
not  for  your  minister,  or  your  society,  or  your 
denomination.  Move,  if  need  be,  all  alone. 
Commit  yourself  promptly,  sacredly,  and  eter- 
nally to  universal  love  and  fellowship.  Emerge, 
this  very  hour,  from  every  carnal  trammel  and 
entanglement  into  the  great  holy  catholic 
church.”  Wed  yourself  to-day,  and  by  holy 
and  immortal  ties,  to  every  disciple  on  earth  and 
in  heaven.  In  your  eye,  let  separating  walls 
melt  down  to-day,  just  as  the  fires  will  certainly 
melt  them  down  to-morrow.  Advance,  Chris- 
tian ! In  thy  heart’s  deep  affections  greet  the 
doers  of  God’s  will.  Are  not  these  thy  brother, 
and  sister,  and  mother  1 And  such  is  the  de- 
mand of  Christian  union. 


MEANS  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 


93 


SECTION  VIL 

MEANS  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 

But  this  advance,  this  union5  as  we  have  seen, 
must  be  visible^  otherwise  the  great  object  of 
oneness  specified  in  Christ’s  prayer  will  not  be 
realized,  namely,  That  the  world  may  believe 
that  thou  hast  sent  me.”  How,  then,  shall  this 
great  point  be  gained  I How  shall  the  union  of 
Christians  become  notorious,  and  thus  impart  its 
great  and  glorious  lesson  to  “ the  world 

1.  In  replying  briefly  to  this  inquiry,  it  is 
submitted,  first,  that  ministers  and  Christians  of 
different  denominations  should  religiously  avoid 
all  unprofitable  controversy.  Christian  union 
apart,  how  much  of  this  species  of  controversy 
has  cursed  the  church  of  God ! How  much 
talent  has  thus  been  wasted,  and  what  millions 
of  golden  hours  have  thus  been  squandered ! 
Have  not  hundreds  of  ministers  devoted  precious 
days  to  indulgences  of  this  kind  that  had  far 
better  been  spent  in  planning  for  the  conversion 
of  this  lost  world  to  Christ  1 Has  not  a large 
amount  of  religious  controversy  been  spoken  and 


94 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


written  that  would  never  have  been  heard  and 
seen  had  the  disputants  kept  their  eyes  steady 
upon  the  dying  scene,  and  meditated  well  the 
brevity  of  all  their  opportunities  for  usefulness 
and  salvation  1 And,  in  addition  to  all  the  other 
evils  attendant  upon  needless  controversy,  its 
influence  upon  holy  and  Christian  union  is  al- 
most sure  to  be  prejudicial ; while,  as  it  re- 
spects the  manifestation^  it  is  that  of  discord 
rather  than  harmony,  of  division  instead  of 
union.  Christians  controvert,  and  the  world 
sees  and  hears  ; and  oh,  how  observant  the 
world  is  of  this  very  thing ! How  eagerly  it 
watches  the  controversy,  and  the  spirit  and  tone 
of  the  controversialists  ! And  as  they  watch, 
how  perfectly  facile  is  the  impression  upon  their 
minds  that  religion  is  a matter  of  quarrel  rather 
than  of  healing ; and  reading  Christianity  from 
such  exhibitions,  they  easily  fail  to  see  its  divin- 
ity, and  to  “ believe  that  the  Father  hath  sent” 
either  the  system  itself,  or  its  ever-blessed  Au- 
thor. 

2.  Hence,  secondly,  if  between  Christians  of 
the  different  denominations  there  must^  at  any 
time,  be  controversy,  the  visible  union  of  Christ’s 
church  requires  that  it  be  conducted  so  that 
such  union  shall  not  be  harmed.  Hast  thou 
never  noticed  theological  opponents,  strong  and 
earnest  each  for  the  point  he  had  assumed,  who 
yet,  amid  the  very  fervor  of  debate,  demonstra- 


MEANS  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 


95 


ted  that  though  divided  in  view,  they  were  one 
in  heart,  were  brethren  in  Christ,  were  dear  to 
each  other,  like  two  little  children  in  their  fa- 
ther’s house,  and  loved  each  other  with  a love 
stronger  and  mightier  than  the  heat  of  contro- 
versy] That  was  a discussion  whence  all 
anger,  wrath,  and  clamor,  and  evil  speaking 
were  abstracted ; where  no  bitterness  came  in 
CO  poison ; where  all  unfairness,  and  every  in- 
tended fallacy  were  avoided ; where  the  oppo- 
nents sought,  so  far  as  might  be,  to  see  eye  to 
eye;  where  all  Christian  courtesy,  gentleness, 
calmness,  candor,  sincerity,  and  charity  shed 
around  perpetually  their  hallowed  influence; 
where  the  disputants  lay  at  each  other’s  feet, 
and  there  was  a strife  to  detect  how  near  to 
each  other  they  might  come,  rather  than  how 
long  a distance  they  might  throw  between  them ; 
while  their  conversation  was  more  like  saints  on 
the  verge  of  heaven,  than  like  the  disputants  of 
this  world.  Two  phenomena  will  unfailingly 
occur  in  connection  with  religious  controversy 
thus  conducted.  First,  even  such  controversies 
will  become  more  and  more  unfrequent,  till  they 
die  away  amid  the  harmonies  of  heaven ; and 
secondly,  while  they  continue  they  shall  cause 
little  interference  with  the  visible  union  of  the 
church  of  .Christ. 

3.  It  will  essentially  aid  to  render  Christian 
union  visible,  should  Christians  of  different  de- 


96 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


nominations  frequently  meet  each  other  in  union 
assemblies.  Where  Christians  of  two  or  more 
denominations  dwell  in  sufficient  proximity, 
might  not  one  hour  a week  be  righteously  and 
most  profitably  and  delightfully  devoted  to  such 
a sort  of  confession  of  their  essential  oneness  ? 

^ At  proper  times,  why  may  not  the  world”  be 
permitted  to  look  on  and  witness  the  commun- 
ings,  the  unity  of  those  of  their  neighbors  who 
love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  1 Let  them  see  and  , 
hear  and  feel  that  the  prayers,  the  praises,  the 
exhortations,  the  encouragements,  the  trials,  the 
aims  of  Christians  are  one,  and  this  whether 
they  wear  one  name  or  another.  Let  the  world 
see  and  know  that  if  there  is  diversity  the  one- 
ness is  greater  ; that  if  there  be  not  uniformity 
of  mode  there  is  identity  of  substance  ; and  that 
if  there  be  differences  of  administrations  there 
is  the  same  spirit. 

4.  Another  mode  of  manifesting  Christian 
union  is  by  occasional  pulpit  exchanges  between 
the  different  denominations  of  ministers.  This 
is  beneficial  variously,  but  we  name  it  here  only 
as  a witnessing  of  tho  essential  oneness  of  God’s 
ministers  and  people.  Let  this  be  understood 
to  be  the  order  of  things  in  all  our  cities  and 
villages,  and  its  infiuence  will  be  potent  as  well 
in  the  exhibition  of  Christian  union  as  in  the 
creating  and  cherishing  of  such  union.  The  in- 
ference from  such  an  evangelical  custom  is  irre- 


MEANS  OF  VISIBLE  UNION.  97 

sistible.  The  world,  as  it  watches  this  opera- 
tion— and  watch  it  the  world  will — must  and 
will  reason  thus  : “ These  ministers  and  Chris- 
tians do,  after  all,  belong  to  the  same  class,  and 
their  differences  are  not  such  as  to  constitute 
them  any  thing  else  than  a unity.  They  preach 
the  same  matters  substantially,  as  is  obvious 
from  their  interchange  of  labors.  The  same 
fact  demonstrates  their  confidence  in  each  other, 
while  they  mutually  contemplate  one  another  as 
laboring  to  accomplish  one  and  the  same  great 
object.  Their  difference  is  in  little  else  than 
name.  They  are  one  in  whatever  is  deemed  by 
them  of  essential  importance.”  The  welcome 
to  your  pulpit  which  you  give  to  a minister  of 
another  denomination,  is  one  of  the  strongest 
manifestations  you  can  make  that  yourself  and 
he  are  one  in  the  gospel  of  your  common  Lord 
and  Saviour ; while  the  impression  upon  every 
spectator  will  be  decisive  and  irresistible. 

5.  Christians  may  bear  witness  to  their  union 
before  the  world  by  defending  one  another  when- 
ever necessary.  Too  often  is  it  true  that  when 
another  denomination  than  ours  is  assailed,  we 
are  either  silent  as  to  any  defence,  or  openly 
join,  it  may  be,  in  the  accusation.  Here,  of 
course,  is  no  witness  of  union,  but  of  disunion 
rather.  The  opposite  should  be  the  position  of 
Christians  whenever  practicable.  From  per- 
verseness, or  ignorance,  or  both,  one  and  an- 


98 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


other  Christian  sect  is  often  named  injuriously. 
A censorious  world  hears  much  ill  will  toward 
many  real  Christians.  Let  Christians  meet  all 
unfriendly  censures  with  appropriate  explana- 
tions and  defence.  Let  them  seize  all  such  op- 
portunities to  show  to  a severe  and  uncharitable 
world  that  the  church  of  Christ  is  one  ; that  if 
one  member  suffer,  all  the  members  suffer  with 
it.  How  many  opportunities  have  Christians 
not  only  to  defend  the  injured  of  other  denomi- 
nations than  their  own,  hut  also  to  hear  witness 
to  the  excellence  of  their  Christian  character  and 
lives ! And  when  such  witness  is  borne,  and 
borne  with  truth  and  skill,  it  becomes  a confes- 
sion of  Christian  union  and  fellowship,  whose  in- 
fluence cannot  fail  to  be  felt  by  every  class. 

6.  In  addition  to  the  above,  it  may  be  said, 
Anally,  that,  on  all  proper  occasions,  Christians 
and  Christian  ministers  should  give  direct  testi- 
mony to  their  union  with  ministers  and  Chris- 
tians of  other  communions.  Let  each  one  take 
up  the  beautiful  confession  of  David,  as  he  as- 
serted, “ I am  a companion  of  all  them  that  fear 
thee,  and  of  them  that  keep  thy  precepts.” 
Similar  in  spirit  to  this  is  the  benediction  of  the 
apostle,  as  he  exclaimed,  “ Grace  be  with  all 
them  that  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Amen !” 
One  of  the  confessions  of  the  eminent  Whitefield 
is  correspondent : I profess  to  be  of  a catholic 
spirit.  I am  a debtor  to  all.  I have  no  party 


MEANS  OF  VISIBLE  UNION. 


99 


to  be  at  the  head  of ; and,  through  God’s  grace, 
I will  have  none,  but,  as  much  as  in  me  lies, 
strengthen  the  hands  of  all  of  every  denomina- 
tion that  preach  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.” 
How  refreshing  is  such  an  announcement ! Who 
can  refrain  from  exclaiming,  “ Would  there  were 
more  spirits  so  beautiful  as  this,  scattered  over 
this  frigid  world  ! It  should  soon  be  convinced 
that  the  true  Messiah  is  come.” 


100 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


/ 


SECTION  VIII. 

MEANS  OF  ACTUAL  UNION. 

But  how  can  we  fully  profess  and  confess 
Christian  union,  unless  we  really  and  positively 
feel  it?  We  certainly  cannot 5 and  hence  we 
venture  to  specify  some  means  which  will  not 
fail  to  promote  this  heavenly  spirit  in  our  hearts. 

1.  As  means  of  Christian  union,  much  that 
was  offered  in  the  preceding  chapter  is  highly 
pertinent.  The  avoiding,  for  example,  of  un- 
profitable religious  controversy  is  as  important 
to  the  existence  of  Christian  union  as  to  the  con- 
fession of  it.  The  same  is  true^of  the  manifes- 
tation of  the  proper  spirit  whenever  controversy 
is  indulged.  So  of  union  assemblies  for  prayer 
and  conference.  It  may  be  deemed  certain  that 
such  meetings,  carefully  conducted,  will  be  pro- 
motive of  catholic  love  and  union.  CJiristians 
will  thus  become  more  and  more  convinced  of 
their  own  actual  oneness,  and  they  will  come, 
more  than  ever  before,  to  love  each  other  as 
brethren  in  the  Lord.  Such,  too,  will  be  the 
influence  of  interchange  of  pulpits.  The  same 


MEANS  OF  ACTUAL  UNION. 


101 


gospel  will  be  heard  sounding  forth  from  the 
ministers  of  different  names,  and  the  effect  of 
that  “ common  faith’’  will  be  to  produce  a com- 
mon love  and  fellowship.  So,  also,  will  mutual 
defence  and  support  enkindle  mutual  love,  while, 
yet  further,  he  that  confesses  the  love  he  already 
has  for  his  brethren,  shall  have  more. 

2.  We  proceed,  in  addition  to  the  above  sug- 
gestions, to  propose,  as  a means  of  promoting 
catholic  love  and  union,  an  ascent  to  a higher 
spiritual  life.  There  is  need  of  a deep  and  pow- 
erful baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  poured  forth 
upon  the  ministers  and  churches  of  Christendom. 
The  vast  body  of  Christians,  it  is  much  to  be 
feared,  are  too  much  occupied  with  the  outward, 
the  formal,  the  sensuous,  in  religion.  There  is 
too  much  fastidiousness,  too  much  tendency  to 
the  gratification  of  the  taste  in  respect  to  the 
things  of  the  gospel.  Appearance,  and  sound, 
and  mode,  are  too  prominent  in  the  Christian 
mind.  There  is  needed  in  this  age,  in  general, 
and  in  reference  to  Christian  union,  in  particu- 
lar, a solemn  review  of  what  is  the  true  position 
of  a Christian.  This  position  is  seen  in  the  sub- 
lime and  awful  lesson  that  fell  from  the  lips  of 
Christ  upon  the  ears  of  the  Samaritan  woman. 
“ Woman,”  saith  he,  “ believe  me ; the  hour 
cometh,  and  now  is,  when  the  true  worshipers 
shall  worship  the  F ather  in  spirit  and  in  truth, 
for  the  Father  seeketh  such  to  worship  Him. 


102- 


CHRISTIAN  UNIOJf. 


God  is  a spirit,  and  they  that  worship  Him  must 
worship  Him  in  spirit  and  truth.’’  Oh  ! if  the 
time  should  ever  come  when  this  deep  lesson 
shall  be  fully  learned  and  practiced  by  God’s 
worshipers,  nothing  more  will  need  to  be 
said  to  urge  the  great  matter  of  Christian  union 
and  fellowship.  We  behoove  to  ascend  into  this 
diviner  atmosphere — the  atmosphere  of  the  spir- 
it in  distinction  from  that  of  sense — along  whose 
soft  and  delicious  airs  mingle  the  strains  of 
heavenly  love  and  everlasting  harmony.  Name, 
sect,  dogma,  sound,  are  considerations  little 
thought  of  in  that  pure  and  sunny  region. 
There  the  great  idea  is  high  and  holy  worship  ; 
to  ascend  the  hill  of  the  Lord,”  is  the  fervent 
aspiration.  All  is  welcome  there  whose  tenden- 
cy is  to  enkindle  the  fire  of  holy  devotion  and 
urge  the  soul  still  nearer  to  the  great  and  spir- 
itual God.  When  will  the  earthly  and  carnal 
cease  to  adhere  to  the  minds  of  ministers  and 
Christians,  and  when  will  they  learn  to  look,  not 
at  the  things  which  are  seen,  but  at  the  things 
which  are  not  seen  ? When  shall  they  come  to 
contemplate  each  other  as  though  they  con- 
sciously were  standing  amid  the  last  week  of 
time’s  eventful  history,  and  were  listening,  ev- 
ery hour,  for  the  rumbling  of  God’s  chariot- 
wheels  coming  to  judgment ! 

3.  To  descend  to  a greater  particularity,  gen- 
uine and  deep  humility  will  conduce  powerfully 


MEANS  OF  ACTUAL  UNION. 


103 


to  Christian  union.  Is  not  pride  much  concerned 
with  the  existing  separations  and  alienations 
among  the  followers  of  the  Lamb?  There  is 
such  a thing  as  the  pride  of  denomination — the 
pride  of  sect.  One  sect  may  he  more  numerous, 
another  more  ancient,  another  more  wealthy,  or 
more  intellectual  and  influential ; another,  still, 
more  enterprising  and  zealous.  And  such  pe- 
culiarities may  be,  and,  doubtless,  often  are, 
occasions  of  pride  and  mutual  alienation.  But 
the  pride  of  sect,  with  every  other  species  of 
pride,  should  have  no  place  in  a Christian  heart. 
It  is  needless  to  say  that  all  should  cultivate 
profound  humility,  each  esteeming  others  better 
than  himself,  and  being  subject  one  to  another, 
as  becometh  saints.  Thus  would  Christians  of 
different  denominations  discern,  with  far  greater 
clearness,  what  is  good  and  Christ-like  in  their 
brethren  of  other  folds,  and  become  more  entire- 
ly disposed  to  sacred  union  and  fellowship. 
There  would  be  no  longer  a tendency  to  exclaim, 

Stand  by,  for  I am  holier  than  thou but 
each,  rather,  would  count  it  a dear  privilege  to 
walk  in  company  to  heaven  with  even  the  hum- 
blest of  the  Saviour’s  family. 

4.  Christians  should  cultivate  a spirit  of  holy 
love.  Alas  ! how  much  coldness,  and  distance, 
and  stiffness,  are  still  seen  in  the  church  of 
Christ ! How  confined  and  how  straitened  are 
the  Christian  affections  ! How  many  seem  fear- 


104 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


ful  lest  their  hearts  should  open  too  freely  and 
too  widely  toward  the  man  who  entertains  a 
preference  or  two  that  are  different  from  their 
own ! But  all  this  is  narrow,  and  low,  and 
frigid,  and  unevangelical.  We  should  seek  and 
cultivate  a larger  love,  a more  exuberant  and 
far-reaching  benevolence.  The  truth  is,  Christ 

has  much  people’^  all  about  us.  One  denom- 
ination embraces  not  all  the  disciples,  nor  yet  a 
moiety  of  them.  Think  not,  thou  cold,  dreary 
Christian  1 that  thou  art  alone.  Elijah  thought 
so  once ; but  God  had  -seven  thousand  beside 
him  that  were  good  and  true,  and  that  even  in 
the  wicked  realm  of  Israel.  Open,  then,  thine 
eyes,  and  open  wide  thy  heart,  and  let  holy  and 
brotherly  love  enkindle  and  flame  forth,  and 
unite  thee  to  all  the  goodly  fellowship”  of 
those  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Chidst  in  sincer- 
ity. 

5.  Larger  and  brighter  hopes  should  be  cher- 
ished in  all  Christian  hearts,  as  a means  of  closer 
union  one  with  another.  They  are  not  to  be 
forever  contemplating  the  darker  shade  and  as- 
pect of  things.  Let  them  look  upon  the  sunny 
prospects  that  lie  before  the  church  of  the  living 
God.  See  how  Christ  is  working  by  the  various 
denominations  of  Christendom.  Oh ! what  a 
Christian  that  must  be  in  this  generation  who 
sees  nothing  done  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ  ex- 
cept the  operations  of  his  own  sect  I Who 


MEANS  OF  ACTUAL  UNION. 


105 


would  not  prefer  to  be  sitting  alone  upon  an  ice- 
berg, far  off  in  the  polar  seas,  than  to  occupy 
the  position  which  this  man  holds  1 Let  the 
Christian  learn  rather  to  hope  and  to  exult  in  all 
that  the  Lord  is  doing,  and  over  all  the  earth, 
and  by  whatever  company  of  His  dear  children. 
Let  him  trace  every  kindling  fire  sprinkling  the 
darkness  of  paganism  like  the  stars  on  a mid- 
' night  sky.  Let  him  see  and  hope,  and  call  them 
Christian  lights,  and  be  deeply  interested  for 
their  spread  and  triumph,  till  they  all  meeting 
and  commingling,  shall  illuminate  the  world* 
Hopes  like  these  shall  help  to  urge  us  out  of 
sectarian  stocks  and  fetters  and  prisons,  and 
assist  to  wed  us  in  heavenly  union  with  all,  re- 
gardless of  name,  who  are  reaching  to  save  the 
race. 

6.  Nearly  allied  to  the  above  is  the  sugges- 
tion that  Christians  should  cultivate  joy  and  re- 
joicing at  every  triumph  of  Christ’s  kingdom, 
and  by  whatever  instrumentality.  How  sublime 
that  thought,  that  there  is  joy  among  the  angels  , 
of  God  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth  ! Nor  is 
such  joy  at  all  impeded  by  sectarian  lines,  but 
is  utterly  forgetful  of  earthly  names  and  carnal 
separations.  That  Christian,  then,  who  has  joy 
for  a sinner’s  repentance  at  his  own  altar,  while 
he  is  but  slightly  affected  at  a similar  event 
within  the  influence  of  another  denomination, 
may  have,  indeed,  a spark  of  grace,  but  he  may 


106 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


be  very  sure  that  much  of  the  earthly  and  sen- 
sual still  cleaves  to  him,  and  he  is  far  from  be- 
ing a kindred  spirit  of  the  heavenly  intelligences. 
Let  Christ’s  disciples  cherish  joy  for  salvation 
wherever  it  is  given.  Let  them  rejoice  in  the 
manifested  grace  of  God  as  when  one  findeth 
great  spoil.  If  the  carnal  and  the  selfish  strug- 
gle for  the  mastery,  let  them  stretch  their  wings 
and  tower  aloft  into  a purer  and  happier  region, 
where  their  souls  shall  have  strength  to  sympa- 
thize with  every  victory  of  the  Saviour.  Mean- 
while, before  such  hallowed  influences  sectarian 
coldness  shall  depart,  and  Christian  hearts  shall 
flow  together  in  holy  union,  as  well  as  sacred 

7.  It  will  be  a means  of  the  union  of  Chris- 
tians here  on  earth  if  they  meditate  profoundly 
upon  their  prospective  union  in  the  heavenly 
world.  That  union  in  heaven  is  certain ; Chris- 
tians will  be  one  when  they  depart  and  be  with 
the  great  Shepherd  in  His  everlasting  kingdom. 
Nor  is  it  graceful  or  at  all  becoming  that  they 
should  be  blind  to  a prospect  that  is  as  sure  as 
heaven  itself.  But  the  more  nearly  the  church 
on  earth  resembles  that  in  heaven  the  better. 
If  there  will  be  no  jarring,  no  selfishness,  jeal- 
ousy, or  envy  there,  it  should  be  so  here ; and 
it  will  help  to  secure  this  heavenly  arrangement 
if  Christians  will  consent  to  look  often  at  the 
things  which  “ are  not  seen.”  Will  they  en- 


MEANS  OF  ACTUAL  UNION,  lOT 

deavor  to  stand  aloof  from  their  brethren  with 
whom  they  expect  to  dwell  in  perfect  love  and 
union  forever  and  ever  1 Will  not  heaven  begin 
below,  and  the  harmony  above  be  antedated  on 
earth  1 

8.  It  becomes  Christians,  as  a means  of  pro- 
moting Christian  union,  to  endeavor  to  contem- 
plate all  tliQ  disciples  as  they  are  contemplated 
by  Christ  himself.  We  know  that  all  his  fol- 
lowers are,  of  course,  dear  to  the  Saviour,  We 
know  that  he  laid  down  His  life  for  all  of  them. 
We  know  that  he  loved  his  own,  and  that  he 
loved  them  to  the  end.  We  are  assured  that 
he  prayed  for  them  all — not  merely  for  the  apos- 
tles— but  for  all  them  also  vfhich  should  believe 
on  him  through  their  word.  We  are  instructed 
that  Christ  recognized  all  his  disciples  as  united 
to  himself  as  the  branch  is  united  to  the  vine ; 
as  members  of  his  body,  of  his  flesh,  and  of  his 
bones  ; as  being  one  in  him,  as  himself  and  the 
Father  are  one.  Such  is  forever  the  view  of 
Christ  in  reference  to  all  that  love  him.  Our 
lines  of  demarkation  and  distinction  have  no  re- 
cognition with  him.  He  loves  all  that  love  him, 
and  loves  them  as  his  disciples.  Such  is  the 
attitude  of  Christ  toward  Christians.  What, 
then,  should  be  the  attitude  of  Christians  toward 
one  another]  This  is  a plain  question,  and 
easily  answered,  and  a faithful  looking  unto 
Jesus’’  will  be  as  effectual  for  Christian  union 


108 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


as  for  numerous  other  salutary  influences  grow- 
ing out  of  such  a contemplation. 

9.  It  becomes  Christians  to  pray  directly  for 
a spirit  of  union  and  fellowship  with  all  Chris- 
tians. Every  good  and  every  perfect  gift  is 
from  above,  and  cometh  down  from  the  Father 
of  lights.  Nor  can  there  he  a doubt  that  prayer 
of  this  sort  would  be  acceptable  to  God.  He 
has  most  explicitly  directed  His  children  to  love 
one  another  with  pure  hearts  fervently ; with 
one  mind  and  one  mouth  to  glorify  God ; to  fol- 
low after  the  things  that  make  for  peace,  and 
things  whereby  one  may  edify  another,  that 
there  he  no  divisions  among  them,  and  that  they 
strive  together  for  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel. 
Prayer  to  God,  therefore,  for  the  healing  spirit 
of  union  and  love,  will  not  he  in  vain.  Chris- 
tians, in  their  closets,  should  think  this  matter' 
all  over.  They  should  frequently  feel  the  ab- 
surdity and  wickedness  of  a sectarian  spirit,  and 
give  the  Lord  no  rest  till  He  has  purged  them 
from  all  such  carnality.  Let  them  confess  all 
their  heart  to  God ; let  them  lay  open  before 
Him  their  whole  deformity  in  this  respect,  and 
weep  and  pray  before  Him  until  He  shall  come 
to  consume  their  sin  with  the  breath  of  His 
mouth. 

10.  At  the  same  time,  and  as  promotive  of  ^ 
the  same  end,  Christians  should  habituate  them- 
selves to  pray  specially  for  other  denominations 


MEANS  OF  ACTUAL  UNION. 


109  • 


than  their  own.  We  can  hardly  retain  a posi- 
tion of  coldness  and  distance  toward  Christians 
of  any  denomination,  if  we  are  accustomed  to 
remember  them  sincerely  at  the  throne  of  grace. 
Prayer  is  a most  leveling,  melting  process. 
Partition  walls  sink  away  before  it.  Sectarian 
names  are  forgotten,  as  the  spirit  of  a man  ap- 
proaches near  to  God.  The  ground  is  too  holy ; 
the  atmosphere  is  too  pure ; the  mount  is  too 
lofty,  that  carnal  things  should  find  a place  for 
existence.  Oh ! if  there  were  more  heartfelt 
and  devout  prayer  of  the  different  branches  of 
Christ’s  church  for  one  another,  who  questions 
that  this,  of  itself,  would  prove  a most  power- 
ful means  of  brotherly  love  and  fellowship  ? Who 
that  has  ever  thus  prayed,  has  not,  in  his  very 
act  of  supplication,  been  conscious  of  delightful 
union  with  all  the  lovers  of  Christ  and  his  cause? 
And  rising  from  his  knees,  it  was  with  a heart 
pinging, 

“ Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds 
Our  hearts  in  Christian  love ! 

The  fellowship  of  kindred  minds 
Is  like  to  that  above.” 

11.  The  prayer  just  spoken  of  will  strongly 
influence  to  yet  another  means  of  Christian  union, 
namely,  carefully  to  guard  against  giving  or 
taking  offence.  Alas ! how  much  of  precious 
union  among  Christians  has  been  prevented  by  a 
violation  of  this  rule ! How  easy  a thing  it  ap- 


no 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


pears  to  be  for  some  men  to  speak  a word,  and 
with  an  air,  which,  without  accomplishing  any 
good  end,  does,  however,  give  offence  to  some- 
branch  of  Christ’s  followers,  and  retards  the 
progress  of  brotherly  love  and  union.  Must  an 
unpleasant  word  be  spoken  or  printed  1 Does 
God  and  his  church,  and  the  eternal  well-being 
of  souls,  require  it  1 And  if  so,  can  it  not  bo 
spoken  or  written  softly  and  quietly?  Must 
there  be  bitterness  and  offensiveness  ? Is  such 
a word  uttered  as  directly  under  the  eye  that 
searches  all  things?  Would  Paul,  under  all 
the  circumstances,  have  spoken  in  the  same  way? 
Or  has  he  not  somewhere  written,  “ Give  no 
offence  either  to  Jew  or  Gentile,  or  to  the  church 
of  God,  even  as  I please  all  men  in  all  things, 
not  seeking  my  own  profit,  but  the  profit  of 
many,  that  they  may  be  saved.” 

Nor,  if  we  would  promote  Christian  union, 
must  we  be  hasty  to  take  offence.  Injudicious 
Christians  and  ministers  of  other  denominations 
will,  probably,  give  utterance  to  offensive  things. 
At  times  men  will  be  thus  guilty,  from  whom 
we  have  reason  to  expect  better  things.  But 
under  such  circumstances,  Christians  should 
most  carefully  watch  over  themselves.  .While 
it  is  a good  rule  to  “ give  no  offence,”  it  is  also 
a good  rule  that  we  take  none.  Those  who 
would  do  great  good  and  little  harm  on  earth, 
must  make  up  their  minds  to  endure  much.  In 


MEANS  OF  ACTUAL  UNION. 


Ill 


the  midst  of  provocations  they  must  often,  often 
be  silent.  It  is  far  better  to  weep  and  mourn 
apart  than  to  retaliate.  To  imitate  Him  w^ho 
when  He  was  reviled,  reviled  not  again,  is  infi- 
nitely better  than  that  strife  of  words  whence 
evils  issue  often,  but  Christian  union,  never. 
Offend  not  on  the  one  hand,  and  be  not  offended 
on  the  other,  if  you  would  advance  successfully 
the  beautiful  fellowship  of  the  gospel. 

12.  Would  Christians  and  ministers  promote 
Christian  union  to  the  utmost,  let  them  not  un- 
necessarily speak  any  discouraging  word  of  the 
talents,  operations,  or  productions  of  other  de- 
nominations. Of  talents,  whether  natural  or 
acquired,  God  is  pleased  to  make  use  of  a great 
diversity  for  the  advancement  of  religion.  Man 
may  think  that  a given  amount  of  human  learn- 
ing is  indispensable  to  a gospel  minister,  and  be 
ready  to  pronounce  sentence  of  condemnation  if 
their  own  standard  of  acquirement  is  not,  in  all 
cases,  reached.  But  God  is  of  another  mind, 
and  often  accomplishes  great  things  by  the  instru- 
mentality of  talents  that,  to  many,  appear  con- 
temptible. The  greatest  caution  should  be  used 
in  respect  to  our  opinions  and  remarks  touching 
the  abilities  and  qualifications  of  ministers,  and 
especially  of  those  who  are  of  a different  denomi- 
nation from  ourselves.  We  may  not  have  at- 
tained the  proper  stand-point  from  which  to  see 
clearly,  and  estimate  accurately ; and  it  is  often 


112 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


well,  when  we  are  unable  to  approve,  to  let 
these  men  alone,”  not  forgetting  the  possibility 
of  being  found  even  to  fight  against  God. 

Of  the  modes  and  operations  of  other  denomi- 
nations, similar  remarks  are  also  true.  Will 
you  condemn  all  ministers  and  Christians  who 
think  proper  to  serve  God  and  His  cause  in 
ways  differing,  in  some  degree,  from  such  as  you 
approve  1 If  so,  your  course  will  be  as  unwise 
as  it  will  be  prejudicial  to  the  cause  of  catholic 
fellowship.  Are  all  people  alike.?  Is  there  no 
difference  of  taste,  temperament,  habit,  educa- 
tion, intellect,  intelligence,  association,  and 
many  other  differences  ? Have  you  demonstra- 
ted it  to  be  certain,  that  while  there  are  differ- 
ent operations  there  is  not  the  same  spirit? 
And  are  you  absolutely  sure  that  where  there 
are  differences  of  administration  there  is  not  the 
same  Lord  ? Are  you  clear,  very  clear,  that 
your  own  specific  modes  would  be  best  for  all, 
irrespective  of  circumstances  ; and  would  you, 
if  you  could,  assume  the  responsibility  of  pre- 
scribing them  for  all  ? If  not,  then  be  careful, 
slow  to  speak,  slower  to  condemn. 

So,  also,  he  who  would,  to  the  utmost,  culti- 
vate a catholic  spirit,  will  exercise  and  exhibit 
equal  candor  in  respect  to  the  writings  of  other 
denominations.  Is  there  not,  in  our  partially 
sanctified  and  partially  carnal  minds,  a sort  of 
predisposition  to  censure  the  religious  writings 


MEANS  OF  ACTUAL  UNION. 


113 


of  men  belonging  to  a different  branch  of  Christ’s 
church  ? Is  there  not  too  often  discerned  an 
ungraceful  and  ungenerous  readiness  to  deal  se- 
verely, if  not  bitterly,  with  pious  authors  bear- 
ing not  our  party  name  ? Perchance  they  strike 
off  upon  a path  somewhat  novel  to  us  ; break 
away  from  some  of  the  more  usual  terms  and 
formulas  with  which  we  are  familiar ; discover 
too  much  independence  of  what  we  have  ever 
regarded  as  the  “ standard  authors”  upon  the 
theme  discussed,  and  presume  to  take  their  own 
course,  with  the  bible  alone  in  their  eye.  How 
likely,  in  such  a case,  that  an  alarm  will  be 
speedily  sounded ! And  perhaps  the  cry  of 
heresy  will  be  raised,  and  while  thousands  of 
various  names  are  greatly  refreshed  by  the  writ- 
ings in  question,  yet  another  one  less  hopeful, 
and  less  happy,  starts  from  his  hiding-place  and 
hurls  his  anathema  against  the  whole  composi- 
tion. Here,  also,  we  are  liable  to  prevent  the 
sacred  union  of  the  disciples.  It  is  lovely  to 
search,  and  strive  to  agree,  with  our  brethren  to 
the  utmost  extent,  and  after  all  pains  have  been 
taken  to  ascertain  their  sentiments.  If,  after 
all,  a difference  is  discerned,  and  conscience 
makes  its  demand  upon  us  to  give  such  differ-  ' 
ence  a public  notice,  then  is  the  time  to  deal 
kindly  and  tenderly.  Then  is  the  time  for  the 
reviewer  or  the  opponent  to  dispense  with  all 
carnality,  to  put  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 


114 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


toucli  his  erring  brother  -with  only  a heavenly 
touch,  as  if  two  angels  differed,  for  a moment, 
while  winging  their  way  from  earth  to  paradise, 
bearing  thither  one  of  the  heirs  of  salvation.’^ 
13.  Another  means  of  promoting  Christian 
union  is  to  cultivate  personal  acquaintance  and 
intercourse  with  ministers  and  lay  members  of 
other  denominations.  The  neglect  of  this  may 
be  ranked  among  the  fruitful  causes  of  heart-di- 
visions among  the  churches  of  the  Lord  and  Sa- 
viour. How  many  instances  might  be  found  in 
our  cities  of  two  Christian  families  dwelling  in 
close  proximity,  who  never  enter  each  other’s 
doors,  and  never  know  each  other,  because  they 
enter,  on  the  Sabbath,  different  places  of  public 
worship,  christened  by  different  names  ! And  I 
have  known  two  evangelical  ministers  that  lived 
and  labored  in  the  same  village,  and  the  dis- 
tance of  whose  parsonages  was  but  a stone’s 
throw,  who  yet  never  presumed  to  recognize 
each  other,  but  were  as  two  cold  strangers,  that 
pass  on  each  his  own  way.  In  presence  of  such 
modes  and  manners,  it  is  idle,  of  course,  to  look 
for  Christian  union.  Ministers  and  private 
Christians  must  know  and  evince  something  of 
Christian  courtesy,  or  all  efforts  for  Christian 
union  and  Christian  co-operation  are  out  of  the 
question.  They  must  look  each  other  in  the 
face  ; they  must  greet  each  other ; hear  each 
other’s  voices  5 sit  down  in  each  other’s  houses ; 


MEANS  OF  ACTUAL  UNION,  115 

converse  upon  some  of  those  great  themes  where- 
in they  sympathize  and  feel  no  difference.  They 
must  begin  to  trample  upon  the  artificial  and 
unchristian  distinctions  that  have  so  long  and  so 
fatally  kept  them  asunder.  They  must  reach 
I after  a more  social  position  ; and  ministers  and 
people  both,  of  different  denominations,  must 
come  to  know  each  other  better.  The  immedi- 
ate result  will  be  a greater  union,  and  more  of 
that  brotherly  love”  so  much  insisted  on  in 
the  scriptures,  and  which  is  so  necessary  to  the 
I perfect  prosperity  of  the  Redeemer’s  kingdom. 
Let  there  be  an  immediate  move  in  this  direc- 
tion wdierever  the  unsocial  position  has  been 
heretofore  maintained.  Welcome  tbe  day  when 
the  true  disciples  shall  know  each  other  better ! 

I Christ  sees  them  all  to  be  one ; how  happy 
could  they  themselves  catch  the  same  view  ! 
And  they  must  hasten  to  seize  upon  the  means 
necessary  to  secure  so  desirable  an  end. 

14.  Finally,  another  powerful  means  of  Chris- 
tian union  is  the  sincere  and  earnest  endeavor, 
by  all  denominations,  for  the  reviving  of  reli- 
gion. Disunion  and  separation  will  be  almost 
certain  to  accompany  a cold  and  formal  state  of 
religion.  Christian  union  requires  Christian 
love  as  its  basis ; hence  a true  revival  of  reli- 
gion, reviving  and  increasing  christ,ian  charity, 
promotes  directly  that  holy  union  among  the 
disciples  of  the  Saviour  for  which  he  prayed; 


116 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


•while,  reciprocally,  this  heavenly  union  aids,  in 
a powerful  degree,  the  prosperity  of  religion. 
Precisely  thus  it  was  in  the  opening  of  the  Spir- 
it’s dispensation.  On  that  eventful  day,  we 
read  of  the  disciples  as  being  of  one  accord  in 
one  place.  In  this  their  position  of  harmony 
and  oneness,  the  Holy  Ghost  came  upon  them, 
and  as  Peter  preached,  thousands  were  suddenly 
awakened  and  converted.  But  the  influence  of 
this  great  refreshing  was  not  to  produce  division 
and'  separation,  but  it  is  declared  of  those  dis- 
ciples that  they  continued  daily  with  one  accord. 
One  of  the  results  of  that  glorious  reviving  was 
to  knit  their  hearts  together  in  love  and  fellow- 
ship yet  more  and  more.  And  so  it  ever  must 
be.  The  spirit  of.  God  is  subduing,  cleansing, 
healing,  sanctifying,  and  restoring,  in  His  power 
upon  a Christian  heart.  He  tends  to  consume 
all  that  is  earthly  and  carnal,  and  to  shape  the 
man  rapidly  into  the  image  of  the  heavenly  and 
the  spiritual. 

Hence,  it  would  seem,  we  are  not  to  look  for 
any  valuable  Christian  union  aside  from  the  in- 
fluences of  God’s  holy  spirit  working  mighti- 
ly” in  the  hearts  of  the  disciples.  For  this 
ever-blessed  influence,  therefore,  as  well  for  the 
great  cause  of  catholic  union  and  love,  as  for 
the  salvation  of  the  sinful  multitude,  all  Chris- 
tians should  look  with  earnest  longing.  Oh ! 
there  is  none  but  God  that  can  help  us  and  heal 


MEANS  OF  ACTUAL  UNION. 


nr 


us,  and  give  to  us  that  beautiful  character  on 
earth  which  vfill  fit  us  for  the  fellowship  of  the 
heavenly  circles. 

‘ Blest  are  the  sons  of  peace, 

Whose  hearts  and  hopes  are  one  ; 

Whose  kind  designs  to  serve  and  please, 
Through  all  their  actions  run. 

Thus  on  the  heavenly  hills. 

The  saints  are  blest  above. 

Where  joy  like  morning  dew  distills, 

And  all  the  air  is  love.” 


118 


V 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


SECTION  IX. 

ENCOURAGEMENTS. 

But  are  there  any  encouraging  indications 
prompting  the  disciples  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
to  move  in  the  great  enterprise  of  Christian 
union  1 That  such  indications  are  not  wanting 
appears  to  the  writer  of  these  pages  to  he  cer- 
tain ; and  of  a few  of  these  he  begs  leave  re- 
spectfully to  remind  the  reader. 

1.  An  indication  of  very  special  importance 
is,  that,  at  this  present,  the  great  deep  of  many 
holy  minds  is  stirred  upon  this  solemn  subject. 
There  is  in  progress  an  irresistible  sentiment — 
a sentiment  as  deep  and  as  firm  as  religion  it- 
self— that  the  existing  divisions  and  coldness 
among  the  nominal  disciples  of  the  Saviour  are 
anti-christian,  anti-scriptural,  wicked,  and  alarm- 
ing. There  is,  in  not  a few  of  the  best  and  ho- 
liest minds,  in  this  and  other  countries,  a rest- 
lessness— a weariness — in  view  of  the  present 
artificial  and  unspiritual  position  of  the  evan- 
gelical churches  of  Christendom.  There  is  a 
secret  sighing,  and  longing,  and  crying  for  a 


ENCOURAGEMENTS. 


119 


purer  spirit  to  brood  over  these  churches,  heal- 
ing their  divisions — consuming  their  carnality — 
redeeming  them  from  the  deathly  damps  of  sec- 
tarianism, envy,  and  hatred,  and  lifting  them  to 
a holier  and  diviner  attitude,  and  nearer  to  the 
heart  of  their  great  Leader  and  Sanctifier. 
There  are  spirits — and  they  are  not  few  nor 
mean — ^walking  amid  the  churches,  in  whom 
sectarianism  is  either  dying  or  dead ; who  al- 
ready feel  themselves  far  more  closely  united  to 
the  church  catholic  than  to  any  denomination ; 
whose  daily  and  fervent  prayer  flows  in  sympa- 
thy with  the  prayer  of  Christ,  for  the  oneness 
of  all  his  followers  ; and  who  are  ready  to  spend 
and  be  spent  in  behalf  of  the  unity,  purity,  and 
perfection  of  his  people.  Nor  is  all  this  a mere 
impulse  of  the  moment — a sudden  ebullition  of 
excited  feeling.  It  is  rather  an  inwrought  life — 
often  of  slow,  yet  ceaseless  growth,  begotten  by 
an  influence  not  of  this  world,  nourished,  and 
sustained,  and  confirmed  by  prayer,  and  medita- 
tion, and  long  communings  with  the  holy  scrip- 
tures, and  shone  upon  by  rays  of  supernal  beauty 
darting  from  eternity,  and  cheered  and  charmed 
by  music  glorious  as  the  voice  of  the  Son  of 
God.  These  men  are  weary  of  parties,  and 
sick  of  religious  strife,  and  words  that  are  of 
no  profit,  and  vain  jangling.  They  are  reach- 
ing, on  the  other  hand,  for  the  spiritual,  the 
substantial,  the  essential,  and  are  flying  home 


120 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


to  tlie  scriptures,  and  feeling  their  way  nearer 
to  Christ,  and  farther  off  from  the  command- 
ments and  ordinances  of  men,  and  seeking  the 
unsullied  region  where  there  is  neither  Greek 
nor  Jew,  but  where  Christ  is  all,  and  in  all. 
They  are  men  that  often  pray  that  prayer  out 
of  whose  comprehensive  petitions  one  saith, 
‘‘  Thy  kingdom  come,  thy  will  be  done  on  earth 
as  it  is  done  in  heaven  !”  All  the  causes  lying 
back  of  their  somewhat  peculiar  position,  may 
not  be  known  even  to  themselves.  There  is  a 
possibility,  perhaps  a probability,  that  some  of 
these  Christians  are  rapidly  nearing  the  heavenly 
Jerusalem ; and  an  unseen  hand,  it  may  be,  is 
silently  moulding  them  for  the  great  transfer 
about  to  occur.  Sweet  influences,  arriving  from 
a purer  sphere,  may  be  pointing  them  upward, 
while  a clearer  vision,  aided  by  near  proximity 
of  the  world  of  light,  may  be  showing  them,  as 
they  have  not  been  wont  to  discern,  the  trans- 
cendent loveliness  and  beauty  of  an  undivided 
church — a great  and  holy  multitude,  bound  up 
in  the  bundle  of  eternal  life,  and  destined  to  in- 
effable and  everlasting  fellowship. 

And  who  is  there  that,  from  whatever  sacred 
cause,  has  thus  caught  the  true  view  of  the 
church  of  the  living  God,  might  ever  endure  a 
different  aspect — especially  such  as  rises  on  the 
eye  that  looks  forth  upon  the  militant  church? 
“ Oh  P’  he  instinctively  exclaims,  it  is  not  so 


ENCOURAGEMENTS. 


121 


in  Jesus’  prayers  or  teachings — it  is  not  so  in 
heaven!”  And  then  he  weeps,  and  amid  his 
tears  he  vows  never  to  add  fuel  more  to  the  fires 
of  discord,  nor  countenance,  by  word  or  action, 
the  carnal  estrangements  from  each  other  of 
God’s  own  dear  children.  Here,  directly  here, 
stand  those  disciples  of  the  Lord  and  Saviour 
who  bear  mps\  fully  the  likeness  of  their  Mas- 
ter, and  who  are  nearest  to  his  presence,  and 
dearest  to  his  heart.  And  he  hath  more  of  such 
on  earth  than  is  known  by  many ; and  this  is 
one  of  the  encouraging  indications. 

2.  Another  of  these  indications,  and  one  of 
weighty  and  solemn  import,  was  the  catholics 
gathering  at  London  in  the  summer  of  1846, 
and  which  resulted  in  the  formation  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Alliance.  I pray  the  reader,  whatever 
may  be  his  opinions  or  prejudices  touching  that 
event,  to  review  it  for  a moment.  I am  not 
particularly  concerned  now  to  defend  its  meas- 
ures. I am  not  anxious  to  write  a word,  in  this 
place,  in  respect  to  the  doctrinal  basis,  the  dis- 
cussions, or  the  resolui^ons  of  that  meeting,  al- 
though in  these  I confess  to  see  much,  very 
much,  to  approve  and  rejoice  in.  But  we  would 
invite  the  attention  of  all  protestant  Christians 
to  the  fact  itself  of  the  meeting.  Contemplate 
an  assembly  of  Christians,  and  Christian  minis- 
ters, of  every  evangelical  denomination.  They 
have  been  invited  to  gather  in  the  city  of  Lon- 


122 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


don  from  all  parts  of  tlie  Christian  world.  In 
accordance  with  such  invitation,  about  one  thou- 
sand men  assemble  from  various  countries. 
Representatives  are  there  from  England,  Scot- 
land, Ireland,  Nova  Scotia,  Canada,  and  the 
West  Indies  ; also  from  France,  Germany,  Swit- 
zerland, Italy,  Holland ; while  more  than  seven- 
ty of  that  thousand  men  are  from  the  United 
States,  who  went  on  that  long  pilgrimage  over 
sea,  to  he  present  at  this  meeting,  and  not  a few 
of  whom,  of  different  denominations,  were  among 
the  most  reputable  and  excellent  ministers,  of 
this  country.  But  what  was  the  object  of  this 
extraordinary  convocation — a convocation  such 
as  had  not  been  seen  before  since  the  dawning 
of  Christianity?  The  object  was  the  confession 
of  Christian  union,  and  the  promotion  of  such 
union  among  all  evangelical  Christians.  Thir- 
teen successive  days,  sabbaths  excepted,  that 
great  company  of  men  of  different  countries,  as- 
sembled and  prayed  together,  and  deliberated, 
and  wept,  and  rejoiced.  There  they  allied  them- 
selves to  each  other  as  a, band  of  Christian  breth- 
ren, the  object  of  their  alliance  being  “to  aid  in 
manifesting,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  unity  which 
exists  among  the  true  disciples  of  Christ ; to 
promote  their  union  by  fraternal  and  devotional 
intercourse  ; to  discourage  all  envyings,  strifes, 
and  divisions  ; to  impress  upon  Christians  a deep 
sense  of  the  great  duty  of  obeying  their  Lord’s 


ENCOURAGEMENTS. 


123 


command  to  ‘ love  one  another and  to  seek  the 
full  accomplishment  of  his  prayer,  ‘ that  they 
all  may  be  one,  as  thou.  Father,  art  in  me  and 
I in  thee — that  they  also  may  be  one  in  us  ; that 
the  world  may  believe  that  thou  hast  sent  me.’  ” 
They  also  provided  for  the  formation  of  similar 
unions  in  the  various  countries  represented. 

Such  is  the  fact  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance.” 
Our  province  here  is  not  to  defend  it — not  to 
interfere,  in  the  least,  with  the  difference  of 
opinion  respecting  its  measures,  or  its  efficacy 
for  good  as  an  organization.  The  concern  of 
this  argument  is,  to  point  to  it  as  a fact,  and 
to  the  indication  presented  by  such  a fact.  And 
in  this  aspect  of  the  matter,  we  have  no  hesita- 
tion in  pronouncing  the  London  assembly  to 
have  been  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  im- 
portant events  of  modern  times.  Men  may 
differ  about  some  of  its  features  as  much  as 
they  please.  They  may  call  it  a farce,  a phan- 
tom, a failure,  or  any  thing  else.  But  one  thing 
has  been  demonstrated  by  that  meeting,  and 
shines  forth  clearly  as  the  sun  on  high.  The 
London  meeting  has  told  the  tale  of  a mighty 
tendency  and  longing  toward  catholic  union^  in 
not  a few  of  the  most  brilliant  and  lovely  spirits 
in  Christendom,  And  that  one  manifestation, 
beaming  forth  upon  the  eyes  of  the  nations,  is 
worth  all  the  expense  and  labor  involved  in  the 
meeting,  multiplied  a thousand  fold.  The  de- 


124 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


voted  disciple,  sighing  for  the  union  of  the  church 
catholic,  will  turn  his  eyes  toward  that  meeting, 
and  will  hope  for  a brighter  day.  He  will  see 
that  he  is  not  alone ; but  other  men — chosen 
men — whose  praise  is  in  all  the  churches,  deep- 
ly sympathize  with  the  emotions  and  heavings  of 
his  own  spirit,  and  have  already  given  utterance 
to  the  sentiments  that  had  long  lived  in  his  heart, 
but  which  he  had  deemed  it  almost  hazardous  to 
declare.  The  man  of  the  world  must  read  it 
as  a fact  of  history,  that  great  and  good  men  of 
all  the  principal  denominations  have  met  and 
greeted  each  other  as  brethren,  and  bidden  each 
other  God-speed  in  their  heavenly  progress  ; and 
as  he  reads,  he  must  be  impressed,  whether  he 
will  or  not,  that  Christians,  after  all,  are  one ; 
that  it  is  only  as  men  that  they  dijQfer,  while  as 
Christians  they  are  identical.  Romanists  must 
look  upon  that  demonstration,  and  while  they 
still  affect  to  mock  at  divided  protestantism, 
they  will  wonder  and  tremble.  The  protestant, 
in  hundreds  of  instances,  will  contemplate  it, 
and  while  joining  with  the  papist  in  denouncing 
it  as  a magnificent  failure,”  he  will,  on  that 
self-same  day,  move  toward  his  brethren  of  other 
denominations,  and  under  an  influence  which  he 
refuses  to  acknowledge,  and  which  has  traveled 
to  his  soul  by  a path  which  he  knows  not,  he 
emerges  suddenly  into  the  great  catholic  broth- 
erhood, and  begins  to  love  the  church  of  Christ 


ENCOURAGEMENTS. 


125 


better  than  sect  or  party.  The  excellent  men 
who  went  from  this  country  to  take  part  in  that 
important  meeting,  and  who  have  received  so 
little  apparent  sympathy  from  thousands  of  their 
brethren,  are  not,  therefore,  to  be  discouraged. 
It  is  quite  likely  that,  with  the  same  expense, 
they  never  before  accomplished  an  equal  amount 
of  good  for  the  church  and  the  world.  They 
shall  find  it  after  many  days. 

3.  Another  encouraging  indication  is,  the  nu- 
merous and  increasing  unions  of  ministers  and 
Christians  of  the  different  evangelical  denomina- 
tions. It  is  no  unusual  thing,  at  present,  for 
ministers  of  different  names  to  assemble  in  weekly 
or  monthly  gatherings,  and  commune  together 
concerning  the  interests  of  their  several  charges, 
and  of  the  church  at  large,  and  mingle  their  pray- 
ers together  for  the  prosperity  of  religion.  So, 
also,  it  is  rapidly  becoming  common  for  Christians 
of  the  laity  to  assemble,  irrespective  of  name,  to 
confer  and  pray  together.  There  is,  on  the 
part  of  Christians,  a more  full  and  outright  re- 
cognition of  each  other’s  piety  and  sincerity, 
than  there  once  was ; nor  does  it  require  a proph- 
et’s vision  to  see  clearly  that,  when  disciples  of 
different  sects  shall  become  accustomed  to  pray 
and  praise  together,  and  shall  be  mutually  bless- 
ed under  each  other’s  counsels  and  exhortations, 
the  carnal  partitions  that  have  been  wont  to  sep- 
arate them  will  speedily  sink  away,  and  they 


126 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


■will  come  to  realize  the  holy  oneness  of  all  ■who 
love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.  Away 
from  Christ,  and  immersed  in  worldly  influences, 
Christians  are  almost  certain  to  differ  and  divide. 
But  ■when  they  draw  near  to  God,  and  gather 
around  the  gracious  throne,  and  assume,  on 
earth,  a position  most  nearly  resembling  the 
church  in  heaven,  then  their  difierences  vanish — 
the  alienation  is  healed — they  are  no  longer  sev- 
ered, but  are  one  in  Christ  Jesus.  And  such 
anvaspect  of  things,  it  is  hoped  and  believed,  is 
hastening  to  become  widely  visible  among  the 
evangelical  churches  of  the  land.  Christians 
are  really  one,  and  it  shall  yet  be  e\dnced  be- 
fore a wondering  world. 

4.  Yet  another  encouraging  indication  is,  the 
aspect  of  the  religious  press.  Not  only  are 
there  several  periodical  publications  that  are 
devoted  mainly  and  directly  to  the  promotion  of 
catholic  union,  but  religious  weeklies,  month- 
lies, and  quarterlies,  and  under  the  patronage 
of  different  denominations,  appear  almost  unan- 
imous in  their  favorable  bearing  toward  the 
efforts  of  the  age  for  a closer  union  of  Christ’s 
follo-n^ers ; while  even  the  secular  press  is  not 
without  its  notes  of  good  will  and  approbation. 
Now  may  be  heard  from  week  to  w^eek,  and  by 
all  who  please  to  listen,  the  winning  invitation, 
the  soul-stirring  appeal,  the  solemn  echoing  of 
inspired  instruction,  the  interesting  train  of 


ENCOURAGEMENTS. 


12T 


facts,  on  the  great  subject  of  catholic  love  and 
union ; and  the  voices  that  are  speaking,  are 
not  confined  to  one  country  or  language,  but 
they  are  heard,  swelling  on  the  air,  from  op- 
pressed Switzerland,  and  down-trodden  Italy; 
from  France  and  Germany;  from  the  great 
brotherhood  of  missionaries  scattered  over  pa- 
ganism, as  well  as  from  sunny  Britain  and 
America.  And  they  are  no  mean  voices  that 
are  speaking  to  us,  but  such  as  deserve  the  ear 
of  the  whole  Christian  world.  There  is  no  more 
delightful  and  refreshing  note  borne  to  us  on 
the  breath  of  the  public  press  than  this  note  of 
holy  and  catholic  union  of  the  saints  of  the  Most 
High.  It  is  a voice,  too,  that  has  waked  never 
to  die.  Here  rises  a reformation  that  shall 
never  go  backward,  but  shall  pass  on  increas- 
ing' and  growing  till  every  jar  of  earth  is  hushed 
amid  the  eternal  union  and  harmony  of  heaven. 

5.  But  what  other  encouragement  is  needed 
when  it  is  considered  that  perfect  love  and 
union  between  Christ’s  followers  is  pleasing  to 
God?  That  the  great  cause  of  catholic  union 
among  his  children  is  the  cause  of  God,  is  as 
palpable  as  Christianity  itself.  . Here  there  can 
be  no  mistake.  Men  may  difier  as  to  the  means 
to  be  used  for  aiding  to  unite  the  Christian  world, 
but  they  will  not  difier — they  cannot  difier — in 
the  sentiment  that  this  union  is  dear  to  Christ, 
and  was  a prominent  theme  in  his  prayers.  The 


128 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


Lord  in  heaven  has  no  pleasure  whatever  in  the 
differences,  jealousies,  envies,  coldness,  and  sep- 
arations existing  among  his  professed  children. 
If  he  has  a people  on  earth,  it  is  infinitely  pleas- 
ing to  him  that  they  should  all  be  one  in  love 
and  fellowship.  The  Christian  who,  in  his  heart, 
possesses  the  highest  degree  of  such  love  and 
fellowship,  is  the  nearest  to  what  Christ  would 
have  him ; and  he  who  is  laboring  for  the  pro- 
motion of  this  same  spirit,  is  ranked,  in  the 
' mind  of  God,  among  the  most  blessed  of  peace- 
makers, and  shall  be  called  a child  of  the  Lord. 
God  hath  called  us  to  peace,  and  enjoined  it 
upon  his  children  that  they  love  one  another, 
and  that  they  be  perfectly  joined  together  in  the 
same  mind. 

Here,  then,  the  Christian,  minister  or  lay- 
man, who  is  panting  and  laboring  for  Christian 
union,  stands  upon  sure  and  solid  ground.  He 
has  certainly  the  cause  of  heavenly  truth  in 
hand,  and  hence,  if  he  proceed  prudently  and 
harmlessly,  yet  determinedly  and  perseveringly, 
his  success  and  triumph  are  as  certain  as  the 
throne  of  God.  Does  any  one  ask  what  is  the 
great  encouragement  of  those  who  are  looking 
for  the  union  of  the  disciples  ? God  is  in  it,  is 
the  all-sufficient  response,  and  he  will  bring  it 
to  pass.  Whoso  heareth,  let  him  understand. 
The  beautiful  vision  of  one  of  our  own  poets 
touching  the  cessation  of  wars,  seems  hastening 


ENCOURAGEMENTS.  129 

to  be  realized  in  regard  to  religious  strifes  among 
differing  Christians. 

Down  the  dark  future,  through  long  generations, 

The  echoing  sounds  grow  fainter,  and  then  cease, 
And  like  a bell  with  solemn,  sweet  vibrations, 

I hear  once  more  the  voice  of  Christ  say.  Peace  I 

“ Peace ! and  no  longer  from  its  brazen  portals. 

The  blast  of  War’s  great  organ  shakes  the  skies, 

But  beautiful  as  songs  of  the  immortals, 

The  holy  melodies  of  love  arise.” 


r 


f 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


ISO 


SECTION  X. 

ADDRESS  TO  EPISCOPALIANS. 

To  the  ministry  and  membership  of  the  Pro- 
testant  Episcopal  church: 

Brethren  in  Christ — I trust  you  will  allow  me 
to  address  you  as  such,  though  my  name  is  not 
enrolled  within  the  pale  of  your  communion. 
Yet  I do  esteem  you,  as  truly,  perhaps,  as  your- 
selves, to  be  a branch  of  the  true  church  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Most  of  the  doctrines  laid 
down  in  the  thirty-nine  articles — the  doctrinal 
basis  of  your  church,  and  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land— I most  cordially  assent  to.  Much  of 
your  precious  liturgy  is  scarcely  less  precious 
with  me  than  with  you  ; and  whenever  it  is  my 
privilege  to  mingle  in  your  assemblies  for  public 
worship,  my  whole  soul  unites  with  yours  in 
your  prescribed  and  beautiful  forms  of  prayer 
and  praise.  Even  the  surplice  and  gown  worn 
by  the  ministry  as  they  officiate  in  the  desk  and 
in  the  pulpit,  though  not  accordant  entirely  with 
my  taste,  and  my  views  of  apostolical  simplicity, 
I would  not  think  it  worth  while  to  contend 


ADDRESS  TO  EPISCOPALIANS.  131 

about,  I believe  you  to  belong  to  Christ,  and 
that  you  have  as  perfect  a right  as  other  Chris- 
tians to  your  own  inodes  and  preferences,  as 
pertaining  to  either  public  or  private  worship, 
and  the  ordinances  of  God’s  house. 

I will  not  attempt,  however,  to  conceal  the 
embarrassment  under  which  I labor  in  proposing 
to  address  you  on  the  very  important  subject  of 
Christian  union.  It  is  an  embarrassment  W'hich 
appears  the  more  weighty,  as  there  seems  no 
human  prospect  of  its  mitigation.  I shall  be 
understood  as  alluding  here  to  the  episcopal 
theory  of  the  Christian  ministry,  which  consci- 
entiously, as  I doubt  not,  you  hold  to  be  the 
only  true  theory.  This  theory  excludes,  of 
course,  from  the  ranks  of  a valid  ministry,  all 
that  have  not  received  episcopal  ordination; 
while  thus,  in  the  mind  of  a genuine  Episcopa- 
lian, the  right  of  all  those  Christian  organiza- 
tions existing  aside  from  episcopacy,  to  be  re- 
cognized as  parts  and  branches  of  the  true  church 
of  Christ,  becomes  vitiated.  It  would  be  quite 
needless,  perhaps  extraneous,  for  me  to  say  how 
much  I regret  this  state  of  opinion  and  feeling 
on  the  part  of  Episcopalians  ; and  it  seems  the 
more  melancholy,  considered  in  connection  with 
its  bearing  upon  the  matter  of  catholic  union 
and  fellowship.  At  the  same  time,  however, 
from  repeated  conversations  with  Episcopal  cler- 
gymen, I have  gathered  the  notion  that  what  are 


182 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


termed  the  evangelical  denominations  of  Chris- 
tians in  this  country  are,  notwithstanding  the 
supposed  invalidity  of  their  ministry  and  church 
organizations,  considered  by  you  as  disciples  of 
the  Lord  and  Saviour.  Retaining,  as  you  be- 
lieve, the  succession  of  evangelical  and  essential 
truth,  and  retaining,  as  you  also  believe,  the 
succession  of  saving  faith  and  piety,  though 
aside,  as  you  judge,  from  the  succe^ion  of  the 
apostolical  ministry,  they  are  esteemed  by  j^ou 
as,  while  involved  in  some  important  error,  num- 
bered, notwithstanding,  with  the  heirs  of  salva- 
tion. 

Now,  under  these  circumstances,  though  pe- 
culiar difficulties  are  obviously  in  the  way,  yet 
is  there  not,  even  for  Episcopalians,  a large 
platform  for  Christian  union?  The  ministers 
and  members  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church,  as  they  contemplate  the  other  evangeli- 
cal denominations  of  this  country,  consider  them 
as  either  being  parts  of  the  church  of  Christ, 
or  as  being  out  of  his  church,  and  remaining 
still  aliens  from  the  commonwealth  of  spiritual 
Israel.  In  the  latter  event,  there  would,  of 
course,  be  no  foundation  for  Christian  union  or 
fellowship.  Judging  them  to  be  heretical,  and 
to  such  an  extent  as  to  be  strangers  to  God,  they 
must,  in  all  consistency  and  propriety,  refrain 
from  all  appearance  of  recognizing  them  as 
among  the  followers  of  Christ.  But  Episcopa- 


ADDRESS  TO  EPISCOPALIANS.  133 

lians — at  least  the  more  pious  and  candid  of 
them — cannot,  and  do  not,  we  are  assured,  as- 
sume this  most  melancholy  ground.  Whatever 
may  be  true  of  individual  ministers  or  church 
members,  this  is  not  the  attitude,  as  yet,  of  the 
great  body  of  American  Episcopalians.  In 
other  words,  the  good  and  candid  men  of  that 
communion  do  recognize  the  Presbyterians,  Bap- 
tists, Methodists,  and  orthodox  Congregational- 
ists,  of  the  United  States,  as  Christian  organ- 
izations^ if  not  as  Christian  churches ; and  the 
ministry  and  membership  included  in  these  de- 
nominations, they  believe  to  be,  in  general,  sin- 
cere followers  of  the  Saviour.  Nor,  beloved 
brethren,  do  you  leave  this  as  being,  in  your 
minds,  an  undecided  matter.  Your  language 
respecting  them  is  not  that  perhaps  they  are 
Christians,”  or  that  “ there  may  be  Christians 
among  them,”  or  that  “ there  are  some  Chris- 
tians among  them.”  In  other  words,  you  do 
not  look  upon  what  are  termed  the  evangelical 
communions  of  this  country,  as  we  are  all  ac- 
customed to  contemplate  the  Romanists  of  this 
and  other  lands.  But  you  regard  them  as  Chris- 
tians— standing,  in  this  respect,  on  a level  with 
your  own  communion,  and  including,  in  con- 
nection with  your  own  church,  the  most  benev- 
olent and  excellent  men  and  women  of  this  na- 
tion. 

It  is,  then,  on  this  ground  precisely,  that  f 


134 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


desire  most  respectfully  to  meet  you  with  my 
appeal  in  behalf  of  catholic  union.  I have  ven- 
tured, I trust  with  propriety  and  truth,  to  write 
you  as  looking  forth  upon  the  great  denomina- 
tions around  you,  and  counting  them  to  be  Chris- 
tians. And  when  I have  written  you  thus,  if  I 
have  written  truly,  I cannot  hut  feel  that  I have 
attained  much,  and  am  planted  upon  sure  and 
impregnable  ground,  and  where  I can  call  heaven 
and  earth  to  witness  the  extreme  propriety  of 
positive  and  strong  advances,  on  your  part,  to- 
ward catholic  and  visible  union,  and  the  extreme 
impropriety,  on  the  other  hand,  of  your  vdth- 
holding  such  union.  The  ministry  and  mem- 
bership of  the  other  denominations,  you  believe 
to  be  Christians,  as  truly  and  as  generally,  though 
perhaps  not  so  eminently,  as  the  ministry  and 
membership  of  the  Episcopal  church.  Then 
you  believe  that  the  Lord  Jesus  loves  those  min- 
isters, and  loves  those  church  members,  though 
partially  erring.  You  believe  their  names  are 
written  with  yours  in  the  book  of  life.  You 
believe  them  to  be  rising,  side  by  side  with  your- 
selves, toward  everlasting  life.  You  believe 
that  in  the  great  day  of  judgment,  they  will  be 
standing  in  company  with  yourselves,  at  the 
right  hand  of  the  Judge  ; and  that  to  them,  as 
to  you,  he  will  say,  ‘‘  Come  ye  blessed  of  my 
Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you 
from  the  foundation  of  the  world.”  You  be- 


lieve  that  in  the  long,  long  future,  they  will  be 
with  you  in  heaven ; and  when  the  crowns  are 
cast  down  at  His  feet,  and  the  hallelujahs  of 
immortality,  like  the  voice  of  thunderings,  and 
the  noise  of  many  waters,-  shall  roll  through 
heaven,  their  voices  will  mingle  with  yours  amid 
the  celestial  harmony.  There  will  come  a pe- 
riod— so  you  believe — a period  far,  far  in  the 
bosom  of  eternity,  when  you  and  they  will  have 
been,  for  millions  of  ages,  in  heaven — one  and 
united  and  bfessed  there — and  when,  amid  that 
blissful  and  everlasting  fellowship,  you  will  look 
away  through  the  vista  of  departed  centuries,, 
and  as  the  eye  lights  upon  these  days  and  years, 
the  present  divisions  of  Christians  for  opinion’s 
sake  will  appear  but  the  gropings  and  stumblings 
of  hapless  blindness ; and  you  will  be  lost  in 
amazement  that  the  prospective  eternal  union 
of  the  saints  should  not  have  influenced  to  wed 
them  in  glad  and  unbroken  fellowship  along  their 
earthly  pilgrimage.  Yes,  you  must  allow  us  to 
urge,  beloved  brethren,  that  your  recognition,  as 
Christians,  of  those  whom  you  term  dissenters, 
does  furnish  to  them,  if  ’we  do  not  mistake,  a 
most  decisive  and  irresistible  claim  to  fellowship 
and  union.  T humbly  submit,  that  consistency, 
not  to  say  righteousness,  requires  of  you  one  of 
two  things,  to  wit : either  that,  in  your  minds, 
you  do  cut  dissenters  from  episcopacy  off  from 
the  church  of  Christ,  and  count  them  as  sep- 


136 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


arate  from  the  Saviour  and  his  grace  ; or,  on  the 
other  hand,  recognizing  them  as  Christians,  you 
profess  your  oneness  with  them  in  the  glorious 
gospel  of  the  blessed  God.  In  the  simplicity  of 
my  heart,  I can  see  no  consistent  middle  ground 
between  these  two  positions.  Not  a few  minds 
in  your  own  communion,  as  also  in  the  commu- 
nion of  the  church  of  England,  entertain  the 
same  view  with  myself  of  this  grave  matter,  and 
thus  have  drifted  to  the  sad  alternative  of  reck- 
oning, with  Mr.  Palmer,  the  dissenting  world  as 
forming  no  part  of  the  church  of  Christ,  and  of 
turning  them  all  over,  ministry  and  laity,  to  the 
uncovenanted  mercies”  of  God.  True,  these 
dissenters  are  sincere.  True,  they  trust  in  Christ 
alone  for  mercy  and  forgiveness.  True,  they 
evince  the  Christian  as  fully  as  the  Churchman 
or  the  Romanist.  But  an  invalid  minister  has 
called  them,  though  by  the  aid  of  truth ; an  invalid 
minister  has  baptized  them  ; an  invalid  minister 
has  assumed  to  give  to  them  the  Lord’s  supper ; 
an  invalid  minister,  invalid  because  lacking, 
and  only  lacking,  the  apostolic  laying  on  of  hands 
upon  his  head,  has  ventured  to  break  to  them 
the  bread  of  life.  And  thus  there  is  no  grace, 
no  salvation,  save  as  some  heathen,  it  may  be, 
are  saved  I To  all  this  class  of  Episcopalians 
this  address,  of  course,  has  nothing  to  say.  I' 
leave  them  with  their  kindred  spirits,  consti- 
tuting that  corporation  whose  head  is  infallible, 


ADDRESS  TO  EPISCOPALIANS.  137 

and  which  declares,  in  so  many  words,  that  those 
who  submit  not  to  its  doctrine  and  authority, 
are  as  pagans,  infidels,  Turks,  Jews,  heretics, 
and  schismatics.’’ 

But,  blessed  be  God ! such  is  not,  respected 
brethren,  the  position,  as  yet,  of  the  majority  of 
the  ministry  and  laity  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal church.  That  majority  acknowledges,  with 
unspeakable  delight,  the  fact  of  dissenting  Chris- 
tians ; and  beholds  them,  in  multitudes,  in  the 
great  Christian  communions  of  the  country.  See 
ye  to  it,  then,  that  ye  fail  not  to  convince  the 
world,  and  by  every  appropriate  means  in  your 
power,  that  you  and  they  are  one  in  Christ  Je- 
sus. Consistenc}^,  and  what  is  of  far  greater 
importance,  righteousness  and  piety,  demand  this 
at  your  hands.  The  solemn  demand  of  Heaven, 
that  all  Christians  should.be  one,  and  that  they 
should  evince  this  oneness  to  the  world,  becomes 
as  imperative  upon  you  as  upon  any  other  branch 
of  the  church  of  Christ. 

But  how  are  Episcopalians  to  manifest  this 
oneness  with  all  whom  they  hold  to  be  Chris- 
tians 1 To  this  question  it  becomes  not  me  to 
attempt  an  answer.  Let  every  man  be  fully 
persuaded  in  his  own  mind.  That,  on  your 
part,  there  exist  special  difficulties  in  the  way 
of  visible  union  with  hundreds  of  thousands 
whom  you  esteem  to  be  genuine  Christians,  is  a 
palpable  matter.  Your  idea  of  the  invalidity  of 


13S 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


a non-episcopal  ministry,  rises  up  as  the  great 
obstacle.  Kor  does  it  become  me  to  interfere 
with  such  an  idea.  I might,  indeed,  give  utter- 
ance to  my  extreme  regret  that  the  fruits  of  such 
a ministry,  fruits  that  are,  this  day,  refreshing 
and  gladdening  the  nations,  should  apparently 
exert,  as  a test  of  divine  approbation,  so  little 
influence  with  you.  It  were  needless  to  remind 
you,  that  this  very  test  of  validity  and  genuine- 
ness was  ordered  by  the  great  Head  of  the  church 
himself,  who  has  instructed  us  most  clearly,  that 
a good  tree  cannot  bring  forth  evil  fruit ; nei- 
ther can  a corrupt  tree  bring  forth  good  fruit. 
And  have  not  the  fruits  of  the  several  evangeli- 
cal denominations  been  good  ? Considered  in 
its  religious  and  moral  aspect,  does  yonder  sun 
shine  upon  a fairer  land  than  these  United 
States  I Contemplating  the  great  denomina- 
tions of  this  country  in  connection  with  dissent- 
ing England,  lives  there  a body  of  Christians 
upon  earth  more  .enterprising  and  successful 
than  they  in  the  great  work  of  spreading  true 
religion  through  the  world  ? Nay,  I venture  one 
step  further.  For  the  reason  that  thousands  of 
learned  and  excellent  ministers  of  this  land  have 
not  passed  through  the  ceremony  of  episcopal 
ordination,  are  even  yourselves  prepared  to  wish, 
this  moment,  that  all  those  blessed  voices  should 
be  hushed,  and  that,  too,  though  they  persist  to 
publish  the  gospel  with  only  their  present  com- 


ADDRESS  TO  EPISCOPALIANS. 


139 


mission  ? But  I forbear.  How  long,  in  God’s 
providence,  this  sad  barrier  to  holy  union  among 
Christians,  shall  continue,  I assume  not  to  pre- 
dict. 

But  may  nothing  be  done  for  visible  union 
while  even  this  great  difficulty  remains'?  Is 
there  no  way  for  the  Episcopalian  to  meet 
him  whom  he  esteems  his  dissenting  brother, 
and  convince  the  world  that  they  are  one  in 
heart  ? The  case,  I acknowledge,  appears  to 
me  to  be  peculiarly  embarrassing  to  the  church- 
man ; but  let  him  do  what  he  can.  Let  him, 
for  conscience  sake,  and  for  Christ’s  sake,  go  to 
the  extremity  which  his  position  will  allow.  If 
he,  being  himself  a Christian,  considers,  at  the 
same  time,  another  denomination  to  be  Chris- 
tians also,  I pray  him  to  use  every  appropriate 
means  within  his  reach,  to  show  their  real  one- 
ness to  the  world.  I beseech  you,  dear  brother, 
that,  in  the  face  of  this  wicked  world,  you  reach 
over  your  hand  of  fellowship  .to  those  with  whom 
you  expect  to  dwell  in  perfect  union  forever  and 
ever.  If  your  strong  views  of  the  ministry  must 
still  remain,  then  be  it  so.  But  with  your  heart 
approach  your  Christian  brethren ; approach 
them  in  spirit ; approach  them  visibly  in  all 
lawful  means  and  modes.  If  these  means  and 
modes  seem  wanting,  help  to  crea.te  them. 
Search  up  every  pure  and  catholic  platform,  and 
stand  there  with  those  whom  Christ  loves,  and 
5 


140 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


will  love  to  the  end.  Thus  stood  those  sixty 
and  five  clergjnnen,  and  those  fifty  and  nine  lay- 
men, of  the  English  Establishment,  with  their 
Christian  brethren  of  different  names,  who  had 
assembled  from  the  four  winds,  and  formed  with 
them  the  Evangelical  Alliance.  There,  amid  that 
- company,  arose  the  voice  of  Bickersteth,  beauti- 
ful as  the  music  of  the  heavenly  harmonies. 

How  sweet,”  he  said,  is  brotherly  love,  and 
the  mutual  giving  way  of  one  to  the  other ! 
Glory,  glory  be  to  our  God,  that  He  has  brought 
us  so  far  forward  in  our  blessed  work ! (the 
work  of  visible  Christian  union).  Glory,  glory 
be  to  our  God  ! * * * But  one  more  remark. 
We  have  not  lost  a Christian  friend  by  joining 
the  Alliance.  I may  say  so  from  having  a large 
acquaintance  with  my  brethren  of  the  Church  of 
England  in  every  part  of  the  land.  I have  not 
lost  the  love  of  a Christian  brother  by  joining 
the  Evangelical  Alliance.  Nay,  more,  I think 
they  have  shown  me,  and  have  been  anxious  to 
show  me,  that  I am  more  dear  to  them  than  I 
was  before.  No  church  will  lose ; every  church 
will  gain  by  the  Alliance.” 

Happy,  happy,  I must  believe,  would  it  be  for 
the  Episcopal  Church,  both  in  the  old  and  new 
world,  were  such  a spirit  and  such  views  to  per- 
vade it  universally!  Welcome  the  day,  when 
every  minister  and  member  of  that  church  shall 
cherish  the  spirit  of  the  catholic  and  noble  Mo- 


ADDRESS  TO  EPISCOPALIANS.  141 

nod,  as  lie  exclaimed,  Though  another  Chris- 
tian is  a dissenter,  and  I am  a minister  of  the 
established  church ; or  he  is  a Baptist,  and  I 
baptize  children ; or  he  is  a Methodist,  and  I 
am  a Calvinist ; I should  say,  ^ My  dear  friend, 
you  might  as  well  make  up  you  mind  at  once  to 
be  with  me,  for  j^ou  must  make  up  y our  mind 
(I  trust,  by  the  blessing  of  God)  to  spend  with 
me  your  eternity.’  ” 


142 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


SECTION  XI. 

ADDRESS  TO  BAPTISTS. 

To  the  ministry  and  membership  of  ihe 
Baptist  churches  : 

Brethren  in  Christ — It  is  quite  unnecessary 
for  me  to  say,  that  I address  myself  to  you  on 
the  great  topic  of  Christian  union,  with  the  same 
deference,  the  same  profound  respect  and  Chris- 
tian love,  with  which  I have  ventured,  as  above, 
to  speak  to  my  Episcopalian  brethren.  I ap- 
preciate, I think,  the  evangelical  character  of 
your  churches.  I know  your  zeal  in  the  great 
cause  of  evangelical  religion  throughout  this 
country  I love  and  admire,  also,  that  mis- 
sionary energy  and  spirit,  and  those  strong  and 
increasing  efforts  for  the  world’s  conversion, 
characterizing  your  community.  None  more 
sincerely  and  more  perseveringly  labor  to  bring 
all  men  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  than  your- 
selves. It  is  true,  there  are,  and  must  be,  re- 
grets for  the  difficulty  amounting,  in  your  esti- 
mation, to  a stern  necessity  of  a denominational 
organization,  distinguishing  you  from  beloved 


ADDRESS  TO  BAPTISTS. 


143 


brethren  between  whom  and  yourselves  this  only- 
difficulty  or  difference  appears  to  exist.  The 
subjects  and  mode  of  baptism,  especially  the 
latter,  constitute  the  difficulty  alluded  to ; and 
shall  1 be  pardoned  for  expressing  my  fears 
that  the  Baptist  distinctive  difference  operates, 
with  some  peculiar  power,  in  preventing  cordial 
Christian  union,  on  the  part  of  ministers  and 
members  of  your  churches  1 In  your  judgment, 
the  disciple  on  whom  water  is  merely  sprinkled 
or  poured  in  the  name  of  the  Trinity,  is  not,  in 
any  scriptural  or  proper  sense,  baptised,  and 
thus  is  not  qualified  to  participate  in  the  holy 
communion  of  the  Supper.  Accordingly,  per- 
sons of  other  denominations,  and  who  have  not 
been  immersed,  are  not  expected  to  join  you  in 
this  solemn  sacrament.  Such  is  the  present  at- 
titude of  your  churches  ; and  whether  a greater 
liberality  of  administration  shall  obtain,  such,  for 
example,  as  was  advocated  so  forcibly  by  the 
great  and  eloquent  Robert  Hall,  yet  remains  to 
be  seen ; while  with  this  whole  matter  it  is  not 
my  province  to  interfere.  With  most  unfeigned 
pleasure,  however,  I may  write  of  you  as  I have 
written  of  the  more  pious  and  candid  of  Episco- 
palians, that,  while  the  latter  declines  to  admit 
the  dissenting  minister  to  his  pulpit,  and  you  de- 
cline to  admit  the  unimmersed  disciple  to  your 
communion  table,  yet  you  agree  in  recognizing 
other  evangelical  denominations  as  Christians, 


144 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


and  fellow-heirs  with  yourselves  of  the  grace  of 
life.  The  intelligent  and  pious  Baptist  fully 
expects  to  meet  his  pious  Congregationalist  and 
Methodist  neighbor  in  the  kingdom  of  God ; and 
that,  too,  though  neither  of  them  have  received, 
as  he  believes,  the  baptism  of  water.  He  judges 
them  to  be  mistaken  touching  this  subject,  but 
sincerely  in  error ; and  that  God,  therefore,  re- 
fuses not  to  them  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
and  a meetness  for  eternal  life. 

If,  respected  and  dear  brother,  the  above  is 
an  accurate  presentation  of  your  attitude  to- 
ward other  evangelical  denominations,  then  is 
there  not  ground  for  the  most  decided  and 
strong  appeal  to  you,  also,  as  it  regards  the 
great  subject  of  Christian  union?  It  is  true, 
you  cannot  meet  other  denominations  so  closely 
as  some  of  them  can  approach  each  other.  You 
cannot,  with  your  present  views,  and  they  re- 
taining theirs,  join  them  in  that  most  affecting 
and  most  beautiful  manifestation  of  Christian 
uni'^"^-  around  the  table  of  the  Lord.  This,  I 
venture  to  believe,  is,  between  you  and  them,  a 
matter  of  mutual  and  profound  regret.  Yet 
who  shall  attach  blame  to  either  party  ? Who 
shall  judge  and  condemn,  save  Him  that  sitteth 
in  the  heavens  ? What,  then,  must  both  par- 
ties do  ? What,  except  to  allow  this  one  mat- 
ter to  rest  ? The  one  party  will  still  piously 
believe  that  immersion  is  the  only  mode  of  bap- 


ADDRESS  TO  BAPTISTS. 


145 


tism ; the  other  party  will  still  piously  believe 
in  this  and  other  inodes  besides.  The  result 
in  the  matter  of  the  Supper  will,  I suppose,  con- 
tinue. What  then?  Both  parties  are  Chris- 
tians, and  such  in  mutual  recognition.  Must 
you  not,  then,  my  brethren,  meet  the  rest  as 
disciples  of  the  common  Saviour,  and  partakers 
of  the  common  salvation?  Ought  you  not  to 
beware,  lest  the  peculiar  difference  between 
yourselves  and  them — a difference  shutting  you 
out  from  them,  and'  them  from  you,  in  a par- 
ticular instance — should  come  to  exert  more 
than  its  appropriate  influence  ? Being,  on  both 
sides,  Christians,  shall  there  not  be  perfect 
union  in  every  possible  form  ? If  in  all  points 
save  one  you  can  manifest  union,  will  you  not 
do  so  ? Ought  you  not  to  hasten  to  meet  your 
brethren  with  open  arms  and  open  hearts. 
Christ — so  you  believe — loves  your  brethren  of 
other  names,  and  of  other  views  touching  the 
subject  of  difference.  You  believe  that  he  will 
presently  bring  you  and  them  to  glory.  You 
believe  that  there,  .all  will  be  perfect — all  will 
see  alike — their  communion  will  be  sweet,  and 
holy,  and  eternal.  With  this  certain  prospect, 
shall  we  not  wait,’ for  a little  moment,  till  this 
darkness  be  overpast?  And  as  we  wait  will 
we  not  love  and  bless  each  other,  pray  with 
and  for  each  other,  bear  ourselves  tenderly  one 
toward  another,  be  mutual  helpers  heavenward, 


146 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


show  this  world  that  we  are  brethren,  and  that 
we  have  passed  from  death  unto  life  because, 
notwithstanding  our  differences,  we  walk  to- 
gether as  dear  children  1 


ADDRESS  TO  CONGREGATIONALISTS.  147 


SECTION  XII. 

ADDRESS  TO  CONGREGATIONALISTS  AND  PRES- 
BYTERIANS. 

To  the  ministry  and  membership  of  the  Con- 
gregationalist  and  Presbyterian  churches  : 

Brethren  in  Christ  — There  would  seem 
to  arise  no  difficulty  or  embarrassment  in  the 
way  of  addressing  you  on  the  great  and  vital 
subject  of  Christian  union.  With  each  of  the 
two  highly  respectable  denominations  already 
addressed,  there  does  exist  an  external  diffi- 
culty, unfavorable  to  such  union ; though  not, 
'it  is  hoped  and  believed,  an  insuperable  and 
fatal  difficulty.  On  your  part,  however,  no 
such  obstruction  appears.  You  are  untram- 
meled in  respect  to  the  ministry,  and  free  to 
extend  the  hand  of  ministerial  fellowship  to  all 
faithful  laborers  in  the  Lord’s  vineyard.  So 
also  are  you  free  in  respect  to  the  membership, 
and  can  freely  invite  to  visible  communion  with 
you,  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Per- 
fectly free  are  you,  on  the  other  hand,  to  ac- 
cept the  like  courtesies  when  extended  to  your- 


148 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


selves.  Your  ministiy  can  pass  into  any  pul- 
pit that  shall  he  opened  to  you.  Your  mem- 
bership are  at  liberty  to  sit  down  at  the  table 
of  the  Lord,  wherever,  and  in  whatever  church 
they  are  invited  to  do  so.  Nor  is  it  too  much 
to  say  that,  in  instances  innumerable,  your 
practice  and  attitude  have  been  correspondent 
to  the  delightful  freedom  of  your  system.  I 
am  not  apprised  of  any  more  convincing  and 
striking  proofs  of  catholicity  in  any  denomina  - 
tion  of  Christians,  than  what  have  been  exhib- 
ited wdth  you.  Reference,  by  way  of  illustra- 
tion, might  be  made  here  to  the  broad  and  cath- 
olic platform  of  your  theological  schools ; also, 
of  that  magnificent  institution,  the  American 
Education  Society ; both  admitting  to  equal 
privileges  all  evangelical  candidates  for  the 
ministry,  utterly  irrespective  of  denomination. 
Yet  these  are  but  a small  part  of  what  might 
be  specified.  And  why  should  you  not  stand 
forth  as  burning  and  shining  lights,  a brilliant 
and  powerful  example,  in  the  great  work  of  pro- 
moting the  visible  union  of  the  Saviour’s  disci- 
ples? I need  not  remind  you  how  full}"  the 
divine  Providence  seems  to  have  designated  you 
to  such  a movement.  Taken  in  connection, 
you  overspread  this  great  country.  Your 
churches  are  coeval  with  the  existence  of  civil- 
ization upon  this  continent.  As  a body,  you 
have  learniug,  intelligence,  and  wealth ; while 


ADDRESS  TO  CONGREGATIONALISTS.  149 

not  a few  of  the  excellent  of  this  world,  both 
ministers  and  laity,  are  in  your  ranks.  You 
have  ever  acted  prominently  in  all  the  noble 
enterprises  of  the  age.  Your  efforts  for  the 
improvement  of  the  common  school  system,  and 
in  the  cause  of  education  generally,  have  been 
untiring;  and  in  the  great  foreign  missionary 
field  you  have  nobly  surpassed  all  other  denom- 
inations of  the  country.  Not  only  have  you 
stood  forth  among  the  capital  agents  for  the 
elevation  and  improvement  of  the  people  of  this 
land,  but,  by  your  hundreds  of  missionary  la- 
borers, you  are  publishing  widely  the  news  of 
salvation  among  the  heathen.  Enlightened  and 
pure  religion,  blessing  the  broad  earth,  would 
seem  to  be  the  grand  tendency  of  your  energies 
and  efforts. 

What,  then,  we  may  safely  inquire,  what  have 
you  to  do  with  sectarianism^?  How  does  it  be- 
long to  you,  or  at  all  become  you  ? Does  it  not 
appear  that  the  man  among  you  who  descends  to 
narrowness  and  partyism,  is  false  to  the  genius 
of  his  system,  and  recreant  to  its  lofty  and  holy 
tendencies  ? You  are  of  that  class  of  Christians 
the  best  of  all  adapted  to  catholic  and  combined 
efforts  for  the  evangelization  and  regeneration  of 
the  race.  None  can  deal  a heavier  bfow  at  sec- 
tarianism than  you.  None  can  do  more  than 
you  to  trample  down  the  graceless  barriers  that 
now  so  often  separate  true  Christians,  and  to 


150 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


aid  in  binding  together,  in  sacred  brotherhood 
and  felloiYship,  the  several  tribes  of  God’s  Is- 
rael. It  must  be  added,  of  course,  that  none 
stand  more  affectingly  responsible  before  God 
for  the  prevalence  of  Christian  union. 

It  is  a most  pleasing  consideration,  therefore, 
that  there  is  alread}^  such  a host  of  truly  catho- 
lic spirits  in  your  communions — men  who  are  to 
be  classed  among  the  truest  and  best  nobility  of 
earth — men  whose  piety  is  as  profound  as  their 
learning,  and  whose  charity  and  liberality  are 
equaled  only  by  their  zeal  and  enterprise.  And 
\\]ij  should  not  a spirit  such  as  theirs  become 
general  throughout  your  churches  1 How  did  it 
happen  that  the  announcement  for  a great  oecu- 
menical assembly,  as  it  came  flying  over  the 
Atlantic,  so  thrilled  the  soul  of  the  venerable 
Beecher,  impelling  him  to  exclaim,  as  he  flrst 
heard  it,  ^H’ll  go — I’ll  go !”  And  how  was  it  that 
he  ventured  on  tliat  long  and  hazardous  pilgrim- 
age— that  old  man,  and  full  of  years  1 He  de- 
termined to  e\dnce,  if  it  were  his  dying  efibrt, 
his  oneness  vrith  the  great  community  of  the 
saints.  And  why  should  he  not  ? There  was 
nothing  in  his  polit}* — nothing  in  his  theology — 
nothing  in  his  piety,  to  offer  the  smallest  imped- 
iment. Whus  he  stood,  full  of  years ; full  of 
light ; full  of  good  fruits  ; full  of  love  to  all  the 
disciples ; nearing  rapidly  the  shores  of  paradise ; 
about  to  join  the  saints  of  all  ages  and  names  ; — 


ADDRESS  TO  CONGREGATIONALISTS.  151 

why  should  he  not  be  permitted,  ere  he  departs 
hence,  to  join  himself  visibly  with  those  to  whose 
society  he  will  be  wedded  forever  1 

I feel  myself,  respected  and  beloved  brethren, 
under  special  embarrassment  in  addressing  you 
— as,  indeed,  I must  feel  in  all  these  addresses ; 
embarrassment  arising  irresistibly  from  the  felt 
diminutiveness  of  him  who  writes,  on  the  one 
hand,  and,  on  the  other,  the  high  respectability, 
as  well  in  character  as  in  numbers,  of  those 
whom  he  presumes  to  address.  I am  obliged  to 
forget  every  relation  save  that  of  Christians;  and 
speaking  to  jmu  as  one  of  the  disciples,  and  as 
one  who  thinks  he  discerns  some  of  the  fair  fa- 
cilities of  your  position,  I do,  with  all  my  heart, 
exhort  you  to  cultivate  the  oneness,  the  beauti- 
ful catholicity,  for  which  our  great  and  common 
Redeemer  has  prayed.  It  is  for  you,  brethren, 
to  move  strongly  and  firmly  here,  and  it  is  for 
you  to  accomplish  great  and  excellent  things. 


152 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


SECTION  xm. 

ADDRESS  TO  METHODISTS. 

To  the  ministry  and  memhership  of  the 
Methodist  churches: 

Bretliren  in  Christ- — Shall  I he  permitted  to 
address  myself  to  you,  also,  upon  the  great  mat- 
ter of  catholic  union?  And  I will  commence 
by  saying,  that  with  you,  as  well  as  with  those 
last  addressed,  there  are  special  facilities  for 
operating  in  this  great  enterprise.  Indeed,  in 
no  class  of  the  great  Christian  family,  are  such 
facilities  more  marked  and  abundant.  And  all 
this  is  precisely  w^hat  might  have  been  expected, 
as  we  study  the  character  of  that  great  and  re- 
markable man  whom  you  recognize  as  the  found- 
er of  your  peculiar  system  and  organization. 
The  catholicity  of  Wesley,  I need  not  remind 
you,  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  character- 
istics of  his  mind  and  heart ; while  in  this  re-  ^ 
spect,  as  well  as  in  many  others,  he  seemed  far 
in  advance  of  thousands  of  his  cotemporaries, 
as  well  within  the  Establishment  as  beyond  its 


ADDRESS  TO  METHODISTS. 


153 


pale.  No  sooner  had  he  received  that  special 
baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  which  resulted  in  his 
new  and  wonderful  career  of  evangelism,  than 
it  came  to  pass  that  he  could  no  longer  be  shut 
up  to  those  exclusive  views  and  feelings  which 
he  had  before  fondly  entertained  and  cherished. 
He  became  a catholic  at  once,  in  spirit  and  in 
action,  and  was  ready  to  join  hands  with  all  good 
men  for  the  happiness  and  salvation  of  the  world. 
He  longed  to  show  himself  one  with  all  that 
loved  Christ.  I ask  not  of  him  with  whom  I 
would  unite  in  love.  Are  you  of  my  church — 
of  my  congregation  1 Do  you  receive  the  same 
form  of  church  government,  and  allow  the  same 
church  officers,  with  me  1 Do  you  join  in  the 
same  form  of  prayer  wherein  I worship  God^l 
I inquire  not.  Do  you  receive  the  supper  of  the 
Lord  in  the  same  posture  and  manner  that  I do  ? 
Nor  whether,  in  the  administration  of  baptism, 
you  agree  with  me  in  admitting  sureties  for  the 
baptised,  in  the  manner  of  administering  it,  or 
the  age  of  those  to  whom  it  should  be  adminis- 
tered? My  only  question,  at  present,  is,  Ms 
thy  heart  right,  as  my  heart  is  with  thy  heart?’ 
If  it  be,  give  me  thy  hand ! I do  not  mean,  be 
of  my  opinion  ; you  need  not ; I do  not  expect 
or  desire  it.  Neither  do  I mean,  I will  be  of 
your  opinion.  I cannot ; it  does  not  depend  upon 
my  choice.  I can  no  more  think,  than  I can 
see  or  Ifear,  as  I will.  Keep  you  your  opinion — 


154 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


I mine.  You  need  not  endeavor  to  come  over 
to  me,  or  bring  me  over  to  you.  I do  not  de- 
sire you  to  dispute  these  points,  or  to  hear  or 
speak  a word  concerning  them.  Let  all  opin- 
ions alone,  on  one  side  and  the  other ; only  give 
me  thy  hand 

Such  was  Wesley’s  heart — such  was  Wes- 
ley’s character.  In  gathering  the  multitudes 
into  his  societies,  he  inquired  not  after  their 
opinions,  but  after  the  drift  of  their  souls — not 
whether  they  believed  this  and  that,  but  whether 
they,  in  good  faith,  desired  to  flee  from  the  wrath 
to  come,  and  to  be  saved  from  their  sins.  He 
simply  touched  the  one  indispensable,  main  thing, 
and  passed  by  all  the  rest.  And  such  is  the 
broad  platform  of  Methodist  membership  to  this 
day,  and  in  all  countries  where  your  denomina- 
tion has  extended  itself.  Here  is  the  grand  and 
beautiful  and  facile  hinge  on  which  you  may, 
without  let  or  hindrance,  advance  to  meet  every 
sincere  inquirer  after  life.  In  accordance  with 
the  genius  of  your  system,  you  have  only  a sin- 
gle inquiry  to  make  : “ Is  a man  sincerely  striv- 
ing to  escape  from  hell  and  fly  to  heaven?” 
Then,  if  true  to  your  accepted  and  recorded 
policy,  you  are  with  that  man — you  are  kneel- 
ing at  his  side — you  breathe  not  a word  touch- 
ing his  creed  or  sect — you  are  pointing  him  to 
Christ,  the  great  centre — you  are  walking  with 
him,  arm  in  arm,  to  life  eternal.  Shoulder  to 


ADDRESS  TO  METHODISTS.  155 

shoulder,  you  are  struggling  with  him  for  a 
world’s  redemption. 

Then,  again,  your  itineracy  tends  to  the  same 
spirit  of  large  and  overwhelming  charity.  Your 
ministry  have  not  time  and  opportunity  for 
strong  local  predilections  and  attachments ; they 
are  circulating  among  the  Christians  ; they  come 
in  contact' with  various  excellent  ministers  and 
Christians  of  other  names,  and  the  whole  system 
looks  away  from  narrowness  and  selfishness,  and 
contemplates  catholicity  and  universal  fellow- 
ship. As  Methodism  arose,  it  sprang  not  forth 
as  a segt.  Partyism  and  division  entered  not 
into  its  spirit,  or  structure,  or  purpose.  Saith 
Wesley  of  the  Methodists,  They  are,  them- 
selves, no  particular  sect  or  party.”  And  he 
writes  to  his  preachers,  “Ye  are  a phenomenon 
in  the  earth — a body  of  people  who,  being  of 
no  sect  or  party,  are  friends  to  all  parties,  and 
endeavor  to  forward  all  in  heart  religion — in  the 
knowledge  and  love  of  God  and  man.” 

Discern  we  not  here  the  original  and  essen- 
tial genius,  the  genuine  drift  of  your  system  1 
Your  recognized  calling  is,  to  save  as  many  souls 
as  possible — to  spread  scriptural  holiness  over 
the  land  and  world.  The  inscription  upon  your 
banner  is  not  sect — name — party.  Rather,  un- 
less my  vision  be  blurred  entirely,  I do  see  writ- 
ten there,  as  in  letters  of  fire,  a universal  re- 
vival of  religion!  This  is  the  beginning  and 


156 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


ending  of  your  manifesto.  Is  it  an  error,  then, 
to  write  that  when  you  become  exclusive  or  sect- 
arian, you  that  moment  contravene  directly  the 
beauty  of  your  escutcheon,  and  the  spirit  of  your 
calling?  Was  3^our  own  Olin  departing  from 
Methodism,  or  was  he  returning  to  it,  at  the 
time  alluded  to  in  the  beautiful  sentence  follow- 
ing ? I remember  well  the  hour,  when  walk- 
ing solitarily  upon  the  banks  of  the  Nile,  I lifted 
up  my  voice  when  none  but  God  heard  me,  and 
offered  up  my  sectarian  bigotry  ; and  vowed  that 
I would  never  know  a difference  between  Chris- 
tians, because  they  were  not  of  the  same  opin- 
ion.’’ Be  assured,  beloved  brethren,  that  while 
I speak  thus  freely,  I speak  also  with  the  pro- 
foundest  deference.  I personally  know  many  of 
those  whom  I thus  venture  to  address ; and  I 
know  them  to  be  true  to  the  catholic  principles 
of  their  system.  Multitudes,  it  is  to  be  pre- 
sumed, both  in  the  ministry  and  membership, 
are  possessed  of  a like  spirit.  And  now,  would 
they  but  move  ! W ould  the  great  Methodist  fam- 
ily through  these  United  States  move  strongly, 
and  firmly,  and  unyieldingly,  and  in  the  spirit 
of  the  great  and  good  Wesley,  who  might  com- 
pute the  influence  they  would  exert  in  binding 
together,  in  a higher  and  holier  love,  the  divided 
parties  of  Christ’s  church  in  this  great  country? 
Viewing  the  simplicity  and  comprehensiveness 
of  their  platform,  the  perpetual  circulation  of 


ADDRESS  TO  METHODISTS. 


157 


their  ministry,  the  warmth  of  their  zeal,  and  the 
universality  of  their  prevalence  and  operations, 
we  cannot  repress  the  suspicion  that  upon  the 
Methodists  of  this  land  rests  a fearful  propor- 
tion of  the  responsibility  of  healing  and  blessing 
the  body  of  Christ.  Oh  \ may  they  be  faithful 
to  Christ ! faithful  to  the  spirit  with  which  their 
system  started  into  being — faithful  to  that  sys- 
tem itself  in  its  genuine  character  and  legitimate 
workings,  and  then  the  results  shall  bo  glorious ! 


N 


158 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


SECTION  XIV. 

ADDRESS  TO  THE  CHURCH  CATHOLIC. 

Christians  of  the  holy  catholic  church: 

May  I venture,  in  the  winding  up  of  this  essay, 
to  make  my  appeal  to  you  all,  ministry  and  lai 
ty,  and  irrespective  of  sect  or  name  ? In  this, 
the  only  true  church,  all  are  one  in  Christ  Je- 
sus; and  in  Him  they  sit  together  in  heavenlj 
places.  Here  no  sincere  voice,  however  hum- 
ble, is  despised ; and  a word  of  exhortation,” 
even  from  the  least  of  all  the  innumerable  com- 
pany, is  suffered.  It  is  under  cover  of  this 
heavenly  and  beautiful  arrangement,  that  I un- 
dertake to  address  you  a few  words.  May  the 
grace  of  God  he  with  you  ! May  the  comforts 
of  the  Holy  Ghost  be  multiplied  unto  you ! 

Christians  ! I have  just  written  that  ye  are 
all  one  in  Christ  Jesus.  This  is  a great  and 
sublime  fact ; too  little  considered  by  many ; 
too  little  felt  by  most.  You  all  bear  the  same 
relation  to  Jesus ; your  characters,  your  mis- 
sion, your  destiny,  are  one.  In  a few  years 
from  this  present  time,  you  will  all  be  united  in 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  CHURCH  CATHOLIC.  159 

perfect  and  indissoluble  affection ; and  no  longer 
of  the  earth,  you  will  be  as  the  angels  of  God' in 
heaven.  Thus  far,  all  is  as  certain  as  any  truth 
of  our  blessed  Christianity ; and  when  thus  far 
we  have  written,  what  need  of  a single  sentence 
more'?  How  is  it  that  the  sure  and  certain 
prospects  of  the  pious  do  not  absorb  all  other 
thoughts,  and  profoundly  modify  all  their  meas- 
ures and  movements  here '?  Why  does  not  the 
revealed  and  well-ascertained  shape  of  the  heav- 
enly church,  the  shape  it  shall  wear  through 
endless  years,  reflect  itself  fully  upon  the  disci- 
ples on  earth  ? How  is  it  that  they  see  not,  as 
in  a glass,  the  glory  of  the  Lord — that  glory  for- 
ever shining  forth  in  the  retinue  above ; that 
the}^  niay,  even  now,  be  changed  into  the  same 
image,  from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  spirit 
of  the  Lord '?  Oh ! it  would  appear  that  the 
idea  of  eternal  union  and  fellowship  must  be 
sufficient.  It  would  seem  that  Christians  must 
love  and  unite  at  once,  if  they  are  to  love  and 
unite  forever  ! Or  is  not  that  thought  of  endless 
fellowship  and  happiness  but  a dreamy  and  dis- 
tant vision,  after  all '?  Rises  it  not  to  the  eye 
like  some  bright  creation  of  a poet’s  fancy,  rath- 
er than  as  one  of  the  substantials  that  faith 
clearly  and  steadily  discerns  I And  is  not  this 
faintness  and  dullness  of  vision  one  of  the  se- 
crets mightily  influencing  to  the  present  divided 
condition  of  the  church  of  Christ'?  Into  the 


160 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


midst  of  this  division  there  enters  nothing  of 
heavenly  elements.  It  is  all  of  the  earth,  earthy ; 
rising  out  of  the  earth ; entirely  rooted  in  the 
earth ; hearing  only  the  savor  of  the  earth ; tar- 
rying back  on  earth  when  the  redeemed  spirit 
rises  to  heaven ; and  perishing  with  the  earth 
when  the  fires  shall  one  day  sweep  over  it  as 
with  the  besom  of  ruin. 

But  it  is  not  enough  to  say  of  the  disunion  of 
Christians,  that  it  is  earthy ; it  is  more,  much 
more  than  this  ; it  is  sinful.  He  who,  for  opin- 
ion’s sake,  stands  aloof  from  his  brethren  in 
Christ,  is  every  day  sinning  against  God.  He 
cherishes  that  which  he  must  utterly  throw  aside 
before  he  can  die  in  peace.  A deep  repentance 
is  necessary  for  him,  and  a more  perfect  bap- 
tism of  the  divine  influences.  Another  spirit 
must  come  over  him,  shaping  him  more  fully 
into  the  likeness  of  Heaven.  The  serpent  has 
not  yet  ceased  to  touch  him  ; the  old  man  is  not 
3^et  entirely  crucified,  with  his  affections  and 
^lusts.  Old  things  are  not  all  passed  away,  and 
tall  things  become  new. 

The  separation  and  division  of  Christians  is 
unholy  and  vile  ; while,  on  the  other  hand,  their 
union  and  fellowship  is»pure  and  divine.  It  is 
one  of  the  fruits  of  God’s  holy  spirit.  The  ties 
that  bind  Christian  hearts  together  are  sacred, 
like  the  ties  of  angels.  It  is  a union  of  holy 
love ; a love  begotten  of  God,  and  inspired  by 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  CHURCH  CATHOLIC.  161 

His  breath,  and  sustained  by  His  energy,  and 
perfected  by  His  grace.  The  union  of  Chris- 
tians is  dear  to  Christ ; dearer  far  than  to  the 
best  of  earthly  parents  are  the  union  and  mutual 
love  of  his  sons  and  daughters.  He  died  for 
them ; he  gathered  them ; he  sanctified  them, 
that  they  might  be  one  in  everlasting  fellowship 
and  happiness.  He  gave  his  peace  unto  theni, 
that  they  might  be  at  peace  with  one  another  fon- 
ever.  He  translated  them  out  of  the  kingdom 
of  contentions,  and  strife,  and  confusion,  that, 
in  his  blessed  fold,  they  might  be  joined  in  eter- 
nal harmony.  The  smallest  jarring  among  his 
beloved  ones — oh,  how  grievous  is  it  to  the 
heart  of  Him  who  redeemed  them  to  be  a chosen 
generation,  a royal  priesthood,  a holy  nation,  a 
peculiar  people ! 

Union  of  Christians  is  dear  to  angels.  It  as- 
similates the  saints  of  God  on  earth  to  the  sa- 
cred associations  among  those  superior  and  heav- 
enly beings.  No  division  or  alienation  are 
among  the  angels  of  God  in  heaven ; and  as  they 
go  forth  to  minister  for  them  who  shall  be  heirs 
of  salvation,  it  is,  doubtless,  one  of  their  blessed 
ministries  to  heal  all  hapless  divisions,  and  to 
wed  together,  even  here  on  earth,  all  those  spir- 
its that  are  destined  to  eternal  union  in  the 
world  above.  Walking  unseen  among  the 
saints  ; encamping  around  them ; bearing  them 
up  in  their  hands ; foiling  the  attempts  of  the 


162 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


destroyer ; whispering  of  the  brilliant  and  im- 
mortal future  ; they  would  lure  the  minds  of  the 
disciples  forever  away  from  low  and  earthly  con- 
verse, and  every  noise  of  vain  strife  and  envy- 
ing. Hush,’’  they  seem  to  say,  “ hush,  all 
clamor,  all  evil  speaking,  and  hatred ! Be  love 
the  atmosphere  ye  inhale,  and  love  the  parth  by 
which  ye  ascend,  and  love  the  music  that  shall 
cheer  and  charm  you  on  the  way,  till  ye  reach, 
presently,  the  climes  where 

‘ On  the  heavenly  hills, 

The  saints  are  blest  above ; 

Where  joy,  like  morning  dew  distills, 

And  all  the  air  is  loved  ” 

And  dear  is  Christian  union  to  all  departed 
saints.  If,  in  their  imperfect  state  on  earth, 
they  ever  strove,  ever  separated  from  any  one 
of  their  brethren,  there,  in  paradise,  they  strive 
and  separate  no  more.  There  they  are  one  in 
Christ  Jesus  ; and  could  they  return  to  us,  and, 
for  a little  space,  walk  again  amid  the  churches, 
their  communications  and  exhortations  would  har- 
monize perfectly  with  the  soft  and  holy  prompt- 
ings of  angels.  Like  these,  they  would  retire 
from  the  circles  wdiere  carnal  envyings,  and  bit- 
ter words,  and  cold  alienation  bear  sway.  Like 
the  aged  John,  as  he  stood  on  the  borders  of 
heaven,  they  would  exclaim,  Little  children, 
love  one  another  !”  And  we  seem  to  hear  them 
adding,  “ Waste  no  time,  no  thought,  ye  chil- 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  CHURCH  CATHOLIC.  163 

dren ! upon  what  ye  shall  soon  • see  to  be  but 
dross  and  vanity.  Be  joined,  all  hearts  and 
hands.  Breathe  forth  a united  blessing  on  the 
world,  and  mutual  blessings  on  each  other.  Oh, 
had  ^YG  known,  when  resident  on  earth,  what 
we  know  now,  our  days  and  nights  should  have 
been  given  to  heavenly  love  and  union.  Our 
whole  influence  should  have  gone  to  unite  all 
Christians ; to  avert  all  divisions  ; to  hush  to 
everlasting  silence  all  profitless  controversies. 
Time  is  precious ; the  world’s  salvation  is  too 
important ; heaven  is  too  near  and  too  glorious  ; 
God  and  angels  are  looking  and  listening  too 
constantly,  that  a 'single  hour  be  spent  save  for 
eternal  good !” 

Union,  again,  is  confirmatory.  By  this  shall 
ye  know  that  ye  have  passed  from  death  unto 
life,  because  ye  love  the  brethren — the  brethren 
of  the  great  church  catholic.  We  maj^  not  speak 
of  parties  here  ; names  and  sects  are  not  to  come 
into  mind.  The  disciples,  wherever  they  move, 
and  whether  they  believe  more  or  less  than  we, 
and  in  whatever  company  they  walk,  there  are 
^^the  brethren.”  Loving  them  all  as  such, 
loving  them  as  bearing,  in  some  degree,  the 
heavenly  image,  there  rises  up  in  the  Christian’s 
consciousness  a test  infallible,  that  he  dwells  no 
longer  within  the  shadow  of  death,  but  that  the 
dawning  of  immortal  life  is  risen  upon  him. 
Beautiful  in  that  hour  shall  be  his  brightening 


164 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


hope,  and  more  clear  and  lovely  than  ever  be- 
fore, the  bright  visions  of  eternal  glory. 

Christian  union  is  eminently  delightful.  Great 
is  that  Christian’s  happiness  whose  large  affec- 
tions flow  forth  without  let  or  hindrance,  to  em- 
brace all  Christian  people ; who  is  no  longer  a 
sectarian ; no  longer  fettered  or  cramped  by 
artificial  and  uninspired  restraints,  but  soars, 
free  as  the  mountain  eagle,  to  hail  the  disciples 
with  holy,  heavenly  greetings.  Far  up  beyond 
the  damps  of  sectarianism,  prejudice,  and  ha- 
tred, his  soul  dwells  and  expatiates  in  a life  of 
love.  He  has  emerged  into  a fairer,  holier  re- 
gion ; and,  as  he  meditates,  he  wonders  where 
he  has  been  so  long,  and  how  he  could  ever  have 
tarried  so  far  away  from  Christ,  and  from  the 
great  community  of  His  followers.  He  now 
reckons  himself  not  so  much  a member  of  a de- 
nomination, but  a fellow-citizen  of  the  saints, 
and  of  the  household  of  faith.  The  apostolic 
assurance,  that  all  are  yours  !”  comes  home 
to  his  spirit  with  unutterable  sweetness.  Giv- 
ing himself  to  all,  he  claims  all  as  his,  whether 
Paul,  or  Apollos,  or  Cephas,  and  his  pure  and 
spiritual  heart  is  open  to  be  edified  and  sancti- 
fied by  all  the  diversified  gifts  and  ministrations 
with  which  a munificent  God  has  favored  and 
blessed  His  church.  All  the  ministry,  all  holy 
literature,  are  his.  In  all  the  church’s  pros- 
perity he  delights ; in  all  her  joy  he  rejoices ; 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  CHURCH  CATHOLIC.  165 

into  all  her  enterprises  his  ardent  spirit  enters ; 
toward  all  her  prospects  he  looks,  as  being  united 
to  them  in  blissful  identity.  “ Things  present 
and  things  to  come’’  belong  to  him.  He  is 
rich,  for  the  abundant  treasures  of  the  church 
are  laid  at  his  feet.  He  is  free ; for  whom  the 
Son  makes  free,  he  shall  be  free  indeed.  No 
longer  straitened  in  himself,  he  realizes  the  en- 
largement of  the  man  who^^'possesses  all  things.” 

The  union  of  Christians,  too,  is  mighty.  A 
species  of  omnipotence  is  here,  compared  with 
which  all  human  force  is  lighter  than  vanity. 
When  this  union  shall  take  place,  then  the  world 
shall  believe  in  the  great  Messiah’s  advent.  A 
vast  brotherhood,  so  connected,  so  beautiful,  so 
heavenly,  shall  compel  the  belief  of  a skeptical 
and  reckless  world.  One  prayer  shall  go  to 
God  from  millions  of  Christian  and  sincere  hearts, 
and  that  prayer  wdll  move  the  arm  that  moves 
the  world,  and  heaven  and  earth  will  meet. 
One  song  will  rise  on  the  ear  of  the  Eternal, 
and  as  it  ascends,  the  cloud  shall  come  down 
upon  Zion,  as  anciently  it  rested  upon  the  tab- 
ernacle of  testimony.  Fair  as  the  moon,  clear 
as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an  army  with  ban- 
ners, shall  the  hosts  of  God  go  up  in  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  earth,  while  at  their  united 
shout  the  strongholds  of  darkness  and  of  wick- 
edness shall  fall  prostrate,  and  the  kingdoms  of 
the  w^orld  will  speedily  be  given  to  the  saints  of 


166 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


• 

the  Most  High.  This  moment  heaven  and 
earth  seem  waiting — and  for  what  ? There  is 
wanting  a holy  and  universal  league,  binding  to- 
gether the  Christian  world ; and  when  that  league 
shall  be  formed  in  good  faith,  and  when  all  the 
sacred  ranks  shall  move — move  promptly — move 
for  life — move  in  the  name  of  the  God  of  salva- 
tion— then  there  will  be  victory  and  triumph 
such  as  the  world  has  never  seen,  and  the  na- 
tions, and  the  abundance  of  the  seas,  shall  hast- 
en to  be  devoted  to  Christ. 

Come,  then,  ye  Christians ! let  us  all  be  one ; let 
us,  each  one,  and  from  this  moment,  carefully  ab- 
stain from,  and  put  away,  all  bitterness,  and  wrath 
and  anger,  and  clamor,  and  evil  speaking,  with 
all  malice  ; and  in  regard  to  all  our  differences, 
let  us  be  kind,  tender-hearted,  forbearing  one 
another  in  love,  forgiving  one  another,  even  as 
God,  for  Christ’s  sake,  hath  forgiven  us.  All 
solemn  voices  call  the  Christians  of  the  earth  to 
peace,  and  union,’ and  holy  love.  There  is  the 
voice  of  the  ever-blessed  bible — all  narrative  . 
and  prophecy,  every  song  and  parable,  each  dis- 
course and  epistle,  all  call  to  holy  and  perfect 
union  among  the  saints  of  the  Most  High. 

There  is  the  voice  of  the  Hoi}’  Spirit — and 
all  his  breathings,  and  every  silent  drawing,  or 
mighty  rushing”  influence,  every  glorious  bap- 
tism, every  warning,  every  impression,  seek  the 
oneness  of  the  disciples. 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  CHURCH  CATHOLIC.  167 

There  is  the  voice  of  evangelical  goodness. 
And  every  note — so  full  of  pity  and  of  love,  so 
lovely  as  it  rises  on  the  ear,  so  much  sweeter 
than  all  terrestrial  harmonies — bids  us  be  one 
forever. 

There  is  the  sublime  voice  of  Providence. 
It  is  speaking  to  us  from  amidst  heaving  na- 
tions— trembling  thrones — falling  dynasties — 
opening  doors,  great  and  effectual and  it 
calls  to  the  disciples,  with  an  authority  no 
other  than  divine,  that  they  unite,  as  the  heart 
of  one  man,  for  the  salvation  of  the  nations. 

And  there  is  the  voice  of  the  world — the 
wide-spread,  beclouded,  sinking,  perishing 
world.  And  from  deluded  millions,  that  voice 
peals  on  the  ear  of  every  Christian  upon  earth, 
urging  him  to  move  toward  his  brethren,  and 
join  hands  with  them  for  the  illumination  and 
redemption  of  the  lost. 

There  is  the  voice  of  death.  His  hollow 
tones  speak  of  the  speedy  removal  of  every  liv- 
ing disciple  away  from  earth^ — warning  all  that 
there  are  no  hours  to  be  lost  in  strife  and  dis- 
union ; and  charging  it  upon  each  one  that  he 
suddenly  prepare  to  leave  the  world  with  a 
heart  united  to  all  the  followers  of  the  Lord 
and  Saviour. 

There  is  the  voice  of  the  judgment  to  come. 
And  as  it  falls  upon  the  astonished  ear,  it  tells 
of  no  separation  save  one  ; and  that  the  sheep 


168 


CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


shall  stand  together  at  God’s  right  hand — all 
of  them,  the  “ blessed  of  the  Father.” 

I seem  to  hear  a voice,  too,  rolling  up  from 
the  world  of  woe ; and  it  is  a sigh  of  anguish 
unutterable,  by  reason  of  deathless  spirits  ru- 
ined forever,  that  had  been  saved  in  an  immor- 
tal heaven,  if  Christians  had  forgotten  to  con- 
tend with  each  other,  and  had  given  every  pre- 
cious moment  to  salvation. 

And  there  is  a voice  from  heaven.  Oh ! 
how  enchanting  are  its  strains,  breathing  from 
the  saints  of  all  generations  as  they  wait  the 
coming  up  of  their  brethren  that  are  still  upon 
the  earth.  One  fold  is  here — one  fold  forever. 
Divide  not  on  earth,  ye  joint  heirs  of  this  peace- 
ful and  eternal  inheritance !” 

There  is  the  voice  of  time.  Let  all  Christians 
listen  while  the  dial  of  centuries  shall  strike  again 
at  noon.  Another  “ half-time”  is  about  to  com- 
mence— one  pregnant  with  great  and  astonish- 
ing events.  God  waits  to  do  wonders  upon  the 
earth  before  the  sun  of  the  nineteenth  century 
goes  down  behind  the  shadows  of  eternity.” 
Seize  your  opportunity,  ye  Christians ! Ye 
shall  have  no  such  chance  again ' forever  and 
ever.  All  hands,  and  with  one  combined  effort, 
grasp  the  lever  that  shall  suddenly  roll  this 
dark  world  within  the  beams  of  the  sun  of 
righteousness. 

There  is  a voice  from  eternity — deep,  deep 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  CHURCH  CATHOLIC.  169 

eternity.  Hear  it,  ye  disciples,  and  be  wise. 
For  a little  moment  ye  are  here.  For  the  great 
whole  of  your  undying  being,  ye  are  away.  If 
ye  will  raise  the  note  of  party,  it  shall  die 
away  presently.  An  immortality  of  Christian 
union  is  just  commencing.  I see  the  door 
already  opening — and  the  golden  harps  are 
ready — and  the  chorus,  loud  as  the  voice  of 
many  waters,  is  beginning. 


THE  END. 


THE 


Clirlstlaii  Union  and  Eellgious  Memorial. 

EDITED  BY 

REV.  ROBERT  BAIRD,  D.  D. 

PUBLISHED  MONTHLY, 

AT  TWO  DOLL  AES  PEE  ANNUM,  IN  ADYANCE. 


This  magaziue  is  devoted  to  the  cause  of  Christian 
Union  among  all  Evangelical  denominations,  and  its 
great  object  -will  be  to  make  the  Church  below  more 
like  the  Church  above,  by  the  infusion  of  that  spirit  of 
Christian  love  and  brotherly  kmdness  which  should 
distinguish  all  the  members  of  Chrisfs  body,  whatever 
name  they  bear  on  earth.  It  will  contain  essays 
on  Christian  miiou  and  collateral  subjects,  by  some  of 
the  best  writers  at  home  and  abroad. 

Another  essential  feature  of  om-  work  will  be  a 
monthly  memorial  or  resume  of  the  progress  of  religion 
in  all  lands.  We  shall  pay  particular  attention  to  mis- 
sionaiy  operations  throughout  the  world,  and  keep  our 
readers  acquainted  with  the  progress  of  religion  in 
foreign  countries  by  the  various  missionaries  there  em- 
ployed. 

Our  foreign  correspondence  will  be  extensive  and 
various,  and  our  readers  will  thus  be  kept  infonned  of 
the  changes  and  progress  of  events  in  Europe. 

Although  we  shall  keep  clear  of  discussions  on  doc- 
trinal points,  we  shall  feel  at  full  liberty  to  animadvert 


THE  CHRISTIAN  UNION  AND  RELIGIOUS  MEMORIAL. 


It  is  a precious  monthly,  published  by  S.  Hueston, 
139  Nassau  street,  New  York. — Christian  Intelligencer. 

We  deem  the  Union  an  important  auxiliary  in  spread- 
ing a knowledge  of  the  condition  and  prospects  of  reli- 
gious denominations — a knowledge,  which,  we  are  soriy 
to  say,  is  not  as  extensively  cultivated  as  it  should  be, 
either  by  the  ministry  or  the  private  members  of  the 
church. — S.  W.  Baptist  Chronicle. 

Eveiy  bishop,  minister,  elder,  deacon  and  class-leader 
should  have  this  valuable  monthly.  Christians  of  eveiy 
name  must  miite  against  the  works  of  darkness,  banish 
for  ever  their  little  sectarianisms,  or  the  world  cannot  be 
saved. — Golden  Rule. 

The  statistical  information  furnished  by  this  publica- 
tion, and  its  notices  in  a comprehensive  \uew  and  per- 
manent form,  of  the  manifestations  and  progress  of  the 
Church  of  Christ  in  all  lands,  render  it  valuable  and 
worthy  of  patronage. — Southern  Christian  Advocate. 

The  missionary  and  statistical  information  upon  its 
pages  must  render  it  of  great  value  as  a book  of  refer- 
ence, while  its  essays  and  discussions  combine  much  to 
interest  and  instract  the  serious  mind.  Its  catholic 
spirit  entitles  it  to  the  confidence  of  Christians  of  eveiy 
name.  REV.  B.  T.  WELCH, 

Pastor  of  the  Pearl  St.  Baptist  church,  Albany,  N.  Y.  [ 

Each  number  of  the  work  contains  64 
closely  printed  royal  octa,vo  pages,  and 
will  form  a yearly  volume  of  768  pages. 


THE 

PEABL  OF  DATS; 

OR,  THE  ADVANTAGES  OF  THE  SABBATH  TO  THE 
WORKING  CLASSES. 


WRITTEN  BY  A LABORER’S  DAUGHTER. 

The  circumstances  which  have  produced  this  volume  are 
highly  important  and  interesting.  A wealthy  gentleman  of 
Glasgow  offered  three  pi’izes  for  the  three  best  essays  on  the 
privileges  conferred  by  the  Sabbath,  to  be  written  by  labor- 
ing men.  Three  months  produced  more  than  nine  hundred 
and  fifty  compositions  on  the  subject.  Among  the  essays 
was  one  by  a female,  which  the  adjudicators  thought  so 
worthy  of  publication,  that  they  wrote  for  the  author’s  per- 
mission to  do  so,  and  also  requested  a sketch  of  her  life  to 
accompany  it.  With  both  these  requests  she  complied,  and 
the  volume  was  by  permission  dedicated  to  the  Queen,  and 
has  had  a very  large  sale  in  England. 

Within  less  than  a year  thirty  thousand  copies  have  been 
sold  in  Great  Britain,  and  six  thousand  copies  have  been 
sold  in  the  United  States.  It  should  be  in  every  Sunday 
School  Library,  and  be  read  by  every  Sunday  School  Teach- 
er in  our  land. 

The  book  contains  the  original  illustrations,  and  an  intro- 
duction by  an  American  clergyman,  and  is  sold  in  neat  paper 
covers,  at  25  cents  ; in  cloth,  37^  cents ; and  cloth,  gilt  edges, 
50  cents,  Avith  the  usual  discount  to  the  trade. 



This  beautiful  volume  is  a reprint  of  an  English  edition, 
which  has  had  a large  circulation  ia  Great  Britain.  W b un- 
derstand it  has  done  “ good  service”  there,  in  promoting  the 
better  observance  of  the  Sabbath  by  the  working  classes. 
May  its  career  through  the  United  States  be  equally  useful. 
— Christian  Alliance  and  Visiter. 


HEAVEN’S  ANTIDOTE 

TO  THE 

CURSE  OF  LABOR: 

Or  the  Temporal  Advomtapes  of  the  Sabhath  to  the 
Working  Classes. 

BY  JOHN  ALLAN  QUINTON. 

With  a Prefatory  Notice  by  Rev,  Stephen  H.  Tyng,  D.D. 

This  beautiful  Essay  on  the  Sabbath,  from  the  pen  of  a 
joui’neyman  printer,  of  Ipswich,  England,  received  the  first 
prize  which  was  offered  by  Mr.  Henderson,  of  Glasgow, 
for  essays  on  that  subject  by  working  men.  The  fact  that 
it  was  selected  for  the  first  prize,  out  of  1045  compositions, 
must  be  sufiicient  proof  of  its  merit.  The  American  edition 
contains  a veiy  interesting  preface  by  Dr.  Tyng.  It  is  illus- 
trated, neatly  bound  in  cloth,  and  is  sold  for  37^  cents. 

NOTICES  OF  TME  PRESS. 

“ It  is  a manly,  direct,  and  most  conclusive  presentation 
of  the  temporal  benefits  of  observing  the  Sabbath,  which 
we  should  suppose  no  one  could  peruse  without  a definite 
impression.  It  should  especially  reach  laboring  men — its 
strong  sense  and  clear  logic  are  finely  suited  to  make  an  im- 
pression upon  the  popular  mind.” — ^New  York  Evangelist. 

“ The  work  should  be  scattered  broadcast  over  the  land,” 
— Protestant  Churchman. 

“ The  treatise  considers  the  advantages  of  the  Sabbath 
under  the  heads  of  Physical,  Mercantile,  Intellectual,  Do- 
mestic, Moral,  and  Religious.  The  author  does  not  write 
theoretically,  but  from  personal  experience ; and  no  work- 
ing man  can  read  his  essay  without  feeling  that  the  Sabbath 
is  one  of  the  greatest  temporal  blessings.  We  trust  that  the 
volume  will  have  a wide  circulation  among  all  classes  in  our 
own  country;  for  all  need  its  salutary  counsels.  It  is  writ- 
ten in  a very  attractive  style,  and  neatly  printed.” — Indepen 
dent. 

This  is  a strong,  clear,  and  admirable  essay  on  the  Tem- 
poral Advantages  of  the  Sabbath,  considered  in  relation  to 
the  working  classes.” — Courier  and  Enquirer. 

JUST  PUBLISHED  BY 

S.  HUESTON,  138  NASSAU-ST.,  NEW  YORK. 


Date  Due 


Princeton  Theological  Seminar 


012 


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